Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks
    Unavailable
    The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks
    Unavailable
    The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks
    Audiobook5 hours

    The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks

    Written by Sam Maggs

    Narrated by Holly Conrad and Jessica Almasy

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Fanfic, cosplay, cons, books, memes, podcasts, vlogs, OTPs and RPGs and MMOs and more-it's never been a better time to be a girl geek. The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy is the ultimate handbook for ladies living the nerdy life, a fun and feminist take on the often male-dominated world of geekdom. With an unabashed love for all the in(ternet)s and outs of geek culture, this audiobook is packed with tips, playthroughs, and cheat codes, including:

    • How to make nerdy friends
    • How to rock awesome cosplay
    • How to write fanfic with feels
    • How to defeat Internet trolls
    • How to attend your first con

    And more! Plus, insightful interviews with fangirl faves, like Jane Espenson, Erin Morgenstern, Kate Beaton, Ashley Eckstein, Laura Vandervoort, Beth Revis, Kate Leth, and many others.

    Simultaneous publication with the Quirk Books hardcover.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMay 12, 2015
    ISBN9781101926444
    Unavailable
    The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks
    Author

    Sam Maggs

    Sam Maggs is a best-selling author of books, comics, and video games. She’s the author of many YA and middle-grade books like The Unstoppable Wasp: Built on Hope, Con Quest!, Tell No Tales, and The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy; a senior games writer, including work on Marvel’s Spider-Man; and a comics writer for titles like Marvel Action: Captain Marvel, My Little Pony, and Transformers. She is also an on-air host for networks like Nerdist. A Canadian in Los Angeles, she misses Coffee Crisp and bagged milk. Visit her online at sammaggs.com or @SamMaggs!

    Related to The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy

    Related audiobooks

    Popular Culture & Media Studies For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Top SHELF

      Apr 4, 2024

      For the uninitiated, BookTok refers to the corner of TikTok dedicated to all things literary, from book recommendations based on popular tropes to guides on how to best annotate your favourite reads. Its influence is seen not just in the massive incr

      2 min read

    • Article

      Fascinating SIRI DAHL

      Feb 10, 2023

      Fascinating SIRI DAHL
      2 min read

    • Article

      The Authors Of Lola Online

      Feb 14, 2021

      The Authors Of Lola Online
      1 min read

    • Article

      5-minute Philosopher

      Dec 28, 2022

      What are your words to live by? Love. Honesty. Enjoy. How much do you care about what others think? When I was a teenager, I used to worry a lot about this. But sport, especially rugby, has given me confidence not to worry about what people think and

      1 min read

    • Article

      The Letterbox

      Jan 1, 2022

      Hi, Everybuggy, I have just received my very first Cricket magazine and I love it! My favorite book series are The Happy Hollisters mysteries, Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, A to Z Mysteries, and Gone-Away Lake. I really like mysteries! Ladybug and Pu

      7 min read

    • Article

      LAPTOP Love

      Feb 12, 2022

      LAPTOP Love
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Writer’s Guide to Being a Great Podcast Guest

      Apr 11, 2022

      Listen. We all acknowledge the requisite tools a writer needs: pens/pencils, a computer, notebooks, journals, coffee, tea, self-loathing. But there’s something else you desperately need: a good microphone. You might not produce your own podcast. Nor

      4 min read

    • Article

      Hop Along

      Dec 15, 2018

      Hop Along
      3 min read

    • Article

      David Koepp

      Jun 15, 2022

      What is your daily writing routine like? 1) Start in the morning with the best intentions, 2) waste five or six hours on the internet until filled with self-loathing, then 3) work furiously for three hours. Repeat steps the next day, having learned n

      2 min read

    • Article

      New On The Shelf

      Aug 28, 2020

      Is your sex-life feeling a bit stale? Or are you maybe not as confident about sex as you’d like to be? This fun, down-to-earth guide covers all the topics you might have been wondering about but been too shy to ask. Such as: “Is tantric sex worth che

      1 min read

    • Article

      LAPTOP Love

      Feb 12, 2022

      LAPTOP Love
      9 min read

    • Article

      At Home With Abbie

      May 21, 2020

      At Home With Abbie
      4 min read

    • Article

      Big In A Wig

      Mar 25, 2021

      Big In A Wig
      2 min read

    • Article

      Screen Grabbers

      Jan 10, 2023

      Screen Grabbers
      2 min read

    • Article

      We Love Karma!

      Jun 1, 2022

      We Love Karma!
      3 min read

    • Article

      Editor

      Oct 1, 2021

      WHAT are you reading right now? It’s one of my favourite questions to ask my friends. I read quite widely and it always fascinates me how many wondrous worlds can be created in the pages of a book. I’ve been jumping between fiction and non-fiction in

      1 min read

    • Article

      Speak Up

      Aug 2, 2023

      I got 8 words: KRASH is the best and always will be. You are the best magazine on earth, (that’s a fact) containing the coolest things, like Mario, Fortnite, WWE, Cruise control, and all of GameSta. You will never be topped, even if you stopped publi

      1 min read

    • Article

      Dear Ali ...

      Jan 27, 2023

      Dear Ali ...
      2 min read

    • Article

      Siri Dahl

      May 10, 2023

      Siri Dahl
      2 min read

    • Article

      Siri Dahl

      May 10, 2023

      Siri Dahl
      2 min read

    • Article

      Sexybits

      Feb 21, 2020

      Sexybits
      2 min read

    Reviews for The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy

    4/5

    121 ratings33 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      I was given a galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.This is a great book for fangirls of any age. In a discussion that ranges from what it is to be a fangirl, to definitions of common terms, to interviews, to convention going, cosplay and web resources, this book touches on every element of fangirldom. There is also an engaging conversation on feminism. I would recommend this for fangirls of any age. I have been a fangirl for decades and I still learned new things from this book!
    • 5/5
      So this is going to be a slightly different review than I normally write, because...well I read some of the other reviews of this book and it just made me sad to look at them. Not because people didn't like the book, but because it seems like some purposefully went out of their way to bash a book, because...well...they just seem to be full of anger and hate. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem if people don't like a particular book. Especially if they have well thought out arguments for why they don't like it. Or even if they just say "You know, I just didn't like this book. I couldn't get into it." and leave it at that. But the level of angst and hate hurled at this book? I just...well I don't get it. Even after reading their reviews I honestly wonder if they read the book or even realized what the book is really supposed to be about.So I'm going to try to address some of the criticism's that I saw hurled at this book. Also, I'm going to be a bit more ranty than I normally allow myself to be with a review.1st: Everything in it is obvious:...it is? Really? OK I get it, if you've been in fandom or a geek for a while then sure you might know these things. But what if you're just starting out? What if you're 8 years old and for the first time discovering "holy cow! Girls can read comics too??" Or "holy cow! there are other people that think like me?!?" And you might think I'm being over the top with this...but I'm not. We were all newbies once. We all needed a guide to figure things out and to learn how to do things. How to go to conventions, how to find and meet people online or IRL, or just how to be involved in fandom. And that's what Sam and this book provide. A how to get started or to get more in depth in the fan culture around you.Also stop and think for a moment, it's only in the last couple of generations that women were able to make inroads into the geek kingdom and let their geekiness be free! So...who do they look to for mentors? I mean sure, some people had dads that were glad to show them the way. But all far too often, I'm guessing they had to figure it out themselves. So this guide is a way of helping be a guide for the next generation. Of shouting out to all the young women (and maybe some older ones) "Hey! HEY! Over here. You belong."And some people are saying "Well why is it just for girls then, huh? What about young geek boys?" Please. I'm not saying that geek boys don't need a guide as well, but seriously? Girls still have to deal with the bullshit crap of "Well, you can't really like this comic because you're a girl. And it's violent." or "Well you must just read Donald Duck and Smurf comics and everyone knows those aren't real comics." So, hence the reason for the guide. Sam does an excellent job of breaking things down, of saying "OK here are some things that you can be a part of. Maybe you know some of them. Maybe you don't. But here's how to get started." And even offering some pointers of where to go for more information. And this is a great starting place for a fangirl of figuring out how to tell which community they belong to or even just how many communities there are to be geeking out about! Also, one thing I really, REALLY, loved in this book was that while Sam does use the term "fangirl" she makes it clear, that all are welcome to read this book and that everyone can get something from it.Number 1a: "Why is a guy writing this book?"...Sam is short for Samantha. Please, don't make assumptions without actually looking for answers first.Number two: EVERYTHING COSTS TOO MUCH MONEY!!!I..the...wha...did you read the book?!?!? I mean seriously? Throughout the book Sam talks about how you don't need money to be a fan. In fact she goes out of her way in the introduction to say "Hey, ignore those people that tell you that you have to read every Ms. Marvel comic ever to be a fan. Pfff pish tosh. You're a fan no matter what." Seriously. She says that. Well, ok maybe not quit the pish tosh part, but the rest of it. Yeah. And she doesn't backtrack on it at all! In fact she continues to point out that if you can't go to conventions, you can meet people online. You can know them just that way! You find your community and you make yourself a part of it whatever way that you can. And I saw people pointing out she says things like "if you're in this group your key accessories are: tattoos, talking animals, brown boots!, etc, etc." and saying "SEE! She's saying spend money on this stuff and that's the only way you'll be a fan!" I...the...what? No, just, no. She's saying "Hey, here are some things that help identify your group! You have them, great! No? Also great!" The only way you can get she's saying you need this stuff is you read someone else's book instead of this one and conflated the two.Yes, the book talks about ways to do things that cost money, like going to conventions. And Sam does an excellent job of providing advice of what to do when you're at one, what to bring, what not to do, and for the love of all fandom how to act around the people you're getting autographs from! And this also falls into the complaint of "this is obvious" and again, I cry foul. A huge foul on that. Because I'd really love to copy some of these pages and give them to some of the people I meet at conventions. Heck, I would have loved to have this list the first time I went to a convention just a few short years ago!Three: FOCUS! Where's the focus!!OK this one I do get a bit, because when you read this like a book, then it does wander a bit, it jumps around, it offers different advice to different age groups and blah, blah. It lacks focus. Now you'll notice I say "when you read this like a book" and that's an important distinction here. And yes some of you are going "well duh! It is a book!" Yes, yes, yes it is. It's a GUIDEbook. It guides you along different paths and you don't have to read it in straight order for it to make sense. If you're reading this book expecting a history of geek girls or it to tell the tale of an adventurous geek girl going out into the world!...don't. The book isn't meant to have a plot or be a cohesive thread or have focus on one topic. It's meant to be a guide to help young ones find their way.I could probably keep going, but I won't. Sam does an excellent job of creating a GUIDE for geek girls new to being a geek. Or just figuring out what type of geek they can be. Or heck just looking at all of the things a geek CAN BE. Also, Kelly's illustrations (which I didn't even really touch on) are super amazingly awesome and fit really well with the book. Gentle watercolor illustrations with just the right amount of umph to them to really sell what Sam's talking about. Also, also, the font. That's right the font. Jon Chad and Luke Howard, two of my teachers at CCS, would kick my butts if I didn't talk about these things. I'm guessing that Kelly created the watercolor light blue font used as subject headings and emphasis points throughout the book because it matches her art style really well and it just helps tie the entire book together.Also I can't forget there are some awesome short interviews with Jane Espenson, Erin Morgenstern, Kate Beaton, Ashley Eckstein, Laura Vandervoort, Beth Revis, Kate Leth, and many others.So, if you're new to being a geek girl or just want to increase your geekdom presence check out this book. And if you know young geek girls just starting out, give them this book. And then help guide them through the awesomeness of being a geek.ARC provided by LibraryThing Early Reviews Program
    • 4/5
      I really like Sam's writing voice. She's got a way of being engaging and making you feel her joy. It's fun, but it has a fair amount of substance to it. I'd recommend it for fellow geeks out there.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 1/5
      Terrible and preachy book. The author is not a feminist, she's a misandrist.
    • 2/5
      This was... OK. I mean, it's exactly what it says - a fangirl's guide - but for Americans only. A bit on the preachy side but, surprisingly, in a good way. As audiobooks go it wasn't as helpful because of all the references and links you would need to write down if you are interested.
    • 3/5
      I sort of low-balled the rating on this one but not because it's not a good read - it is. It's more a reflection of my not being exactly the demographic the book is aimed at. Yes, I am female, and yes, I am a fan of things, but I am not at the fangirl level of anything that isn't a cute furry/feathered animal or that doesn't look like Chris Hemsworth playing Thor. Because of this, there's a large section of this book that pertains to cons, cosplay and fanfic that does not apply to me or resonate with me. However! There's a lot of good stuff here and I learned a lot. I also kept thinking that if I had a daughter (or son, actually) that was just getting old enough to pry the wi-fi password out of me, I'd make them read this book first. The information that Maggs shares is good for everyone, but for someone new to the internet, there are vital lessons to be learned here painlessly and with humour, instead of in real life in a way that they won't soon live down.
    • 4/5
      I guess I’ve technically been a geek since 5th grade, the year I watched the original Star Wars trilogy for the first time, and later thought, hey, it might be fun to collect the action figures with my little brother.

      We didn’t call it being a fangirl back then, but nevertheless, I guess I still am one today. So that’s why I was drawn to the ARC of this book. I didn’t know what to expect, except that I’m a fangirl and I figured I’d enjoy a guide to the fangirl galaxy.

      The book is broken down into: A personal Introduction from the author, It’s Good to Be A Geek (a list of popular fandoms, terms, etc.), Geek Girls Online (an overview of the online resources available to fangirls, tips for newbies), How to Survive Conventions (lists of cons, more tips), Geek Girl Feminism (an overview with helpful terms and myths, list of strong female characters), and a list of more Resources.

      I thought the guide was very helpful and encouraging. I wish this guide had existed years ago, back when I was new to conventions and feminism in general. Presently, I learned about several fandoms I’m not familiar with (Doctor Who, Marvelites, Whedonites) and great resources for geek social networking, shopping, and tutorials.

      I’ve already used several of the resources, including one forum that I’m currently working on a fictional character swap. In person, day-to-day, it can be hard to find other fangirls to be friends with, so the links are great!

      All-in-all, a useful and motivational guide for fangirls. Great as a general reference or as a gift.
    • 3/5
      Meh. I'm obviously not this book's target demographic and it definitely felt more like a how-to than a guide for actually living as a geek girl in the geek world.I also can't get past a factual error that could have been easily corrected with a quick visit to IMDB. (Gina Torres never appeared on BUffy, but on its spin-off series, Angel.) Not every fangirl is a fan of the same things or knows everything about their chosen obsession(s), but, in a book, it's really important to get your geek facts straight.
    • 5/5
      Its like this book was made for me. I found it on a featured shelf at my library and knew I was going to love it. I devoured the book, laughing and snapchatting my way through it in just a few hours. I felt encouraged to enjoy myself and to unapologetically love the things I love. I've never been more proud to call myself a fangirl than after stumbling upon this book.
    • 4/5
      Other than its overall message - geek girls are just as relevant and valid as geek boys - the overview of the many different fandoms and the websites at the back were its best features.3.5 stars
    • 4/5
      Read/Listened for Review (Quirk/Penguin)Overall Rating : 3. 50Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)First Thought when Finished: The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy by Sam Maggs is an excellent primer for the new girl to the geekdom but for the rest of us it was more just fun to read.Quick Thoughts: I totally picked this to review on a whim. I am a Geek Girl. I volunteer at Cons. I cosplay at bookish events. I even game (Alliance Rules, Horde Drools) on occasion (to be hones I am more of an old school gamer: Gabriel Knight, Zeus, Ripper but I do like WOW, StarCraft, and Diablo). I thought maybe I was the target audience for this book but I would say it is more for those on the outside looking in. It is more for those that want to know more or break into the geek world. I thought Sam did a great job at covering the "biggies" in the world. I would totally gift this book to a future geek girl with no problem. It just really isn't for the established geek. Trust me, you already know this stuff!Audio Thoughts: Narrated By Holly Conrad, Jessica Almasy / Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins Holly and Jessica did a great job with the narration. They were excited, interesting, and their pacing was spot on. This is a short audiobook and honestly probably the way I would suggest going if you were to pick it up!Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
    • 4/5
      I received a copy of this book from BookLikes in exchange for an honest review.I personally really liked this book. I thought it was a fun, inclusive book that had a very positive message. The artwork was adorable. The writing style was fun and relaxed, often times humorous and easy to relate to. It includes helpful tips, cool interviews, and an excellent section on modern feminism as why it is important. I really liked the inclusive message that anyone can be a fan despite how in depth his or her knowledge is and that no one has a right to question whether or not you are a "true fan". The text clearly demonstrated the feminist ideal of accepting all people. Now this is in no way a book that everyone has to read. Some reviewers seem to be offended by the book's simplicity, but I think this book is a good starting point if you are interested in ways to express fandom such as going to conventions or critiquing media. Just because you like Harry Potter or Assassin's Creed, it doesn't mean you absolutely have to read this book. Whether or not you read this book does not make you any more or less of a fan of whatever it is that you absolutely love. However, I think it's a very good book with some good information that can be beneficial to a great number of people. Many of the critiques I have read have ranted about how all of the information in this book can be found on the Internet. This is true. But it is also true that having all of that information in one easy-to-navigate book is really convenient and Maggs gives her own interesting insight on each topic. Some things weren't necessary beneficial for me personally. I have no interest in reading and writing fan fiction. But it was still interesting to read and learn more about. The text also includes many recommendations such as "Kick-Ass Female Characters" that embody feminism as well as a resource section of recommended websites for news, cosplay, party planning, and clothing, which gives readers some insight into various things that they may not have known about. The one thing I did not like was that this book took a very capitalist stance of fandom. A lot of times it focused on the consumerism side of things (what accessories to buy to show your fandom). Even though I personally show my fandom through my extensive T-shirt collection and obsession with superhero Chibis, this is not true for all fans. However, the text also gave focus to DIY cosplay, fan fiction, critiquing media, and making friends within your fandom, so it of course was not completely driven by superficial money-spending.Overall, I think this is a very good book. I loved the acceptance and positivity that radiates from every page. And I really enjoyed the simple explanation of what feminism is and why it is important to everyone. This is definitely a book worth checking out.
    • 4/5
      The Good Stuff Such wise beautiful advice Chapter on Five Myths about Feminism needs to be read by everyone Geeky Girl's Litany for feminism - a must read and a way of life my friends the privilege paragraph made me think - something we all need to be reminded about regularly Hilarious! I think we should all follow "Wheaton's Law" - Don't be a Dick! Extremely useful (and entertaining) information regarding the Seven Kingdoms of the Internet (Must show these to my many non geek friends) Defining characteristic of Trekkies - yup I have been known to have some of these characteristics - see also Whedonites (yup got the hatred of FOX network) Appreciated the information on the geek subculture of Otaku, this is one subculture I know very little about Excellent, practical information about geek conventions Never heard of geekycon, but now really, really want to go Fabulous introduction to new kick ass female characters Found some new YA series that I am interested in checking out Might let my non-geeky bestie take a gander at it, so she can understand more this part of me Nice little gift for your fellow nerds The Not So Good Stuff Serious lack of Canadian references (I know, picky, picky) Way too brief More for the young geek than this old geek Favorite Quotes/Passages "Your fandoms are like that: fiction, no matter the form, allows you to live a thousand meaningful experiences and relationships that you could never have in real life." "Still, life is long, and (not to sound like your mom) tattoos are permanent.""You wouldn't go up to someone in person in person and say horrible things to their face, so don't do it online, either."4 Dewey'sI received this from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review
    • 5/5
      This may just be an introduction to fandom, but it still does a great job summarizing all the weird, fun, awesome parts of the geeky spheres on the internet. Although (obviously) aimed at girls, The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy is an enjoyable read for any fan.
    • 5/5
      I thought I knew everything there was to know about being a Geeky FanGirl, being as how I have been one since before it had a label. I was so-o wrong. This book was full of things that I had no idea existed, much less I was a part of. It also reaffirmed how cool it is to be a FanGirl. It is useful to those who are FanGirls in training, those who are FanGirls but still somewhat new to the world, and those who are longtime members and might be feeling a bit jaded. Fun for all!
    • 5/5
      That was very nerdy cool. (Although some of the example pairings, ew... ah well, ship and let ship). I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the book (since I didn't know who Sam Maggs is, bad me) but I was happy to see that it really was a quite comprehensive guide to present and current as well as more older nerddom.All the rads were a little disturbing (is that a thing again like it was in my youth, I thought that rad was gone for good), but other than that it was a very awesome book.The interviews were okay, the seven kingdoms of the internet , fanfic, troll stuff, and convention stuff was cool. And the resources section.... OMG (is that still okay to use, the interwebs move so fast). The Resources section was amazing. So many websites, so little time.I got this advanced galley through Netgalley on behalf of Quirk Books.
    • 3/5
      I received an ARC from the BookLikes giveaway program.If this were billed as more of an introductory book for budding fangirls, or at least had a solid demographic beyond "girl," I would've been more impressed. At some points it seems directed for middle grade kids, other times (like the lengthy section on smutfic) it seems geared toward adults. Don't get me wrong, the book has a positive message to put out there, and is very girl- and geek-positive which is a big plus. There's good resources for beginner cosplayers and such, which I found really interesting being a non-cosplayer myself. It just seemed a bit skewed toward the superfan end of the spectrum and less toward the casual-but-still-super-committed fan. Yes, it is cool and amazing to do fanart, fanfiction, cosplay and all of that, but it's not necessary to be a fan. One small concern I have is the "linked" resources at the end, given the easily changed nature of the internet.Nitpicky issues aside, I did enjoy the book, and I did get a small (if shallow) glimpse at fandoms I'm not a part of, and learned a bit about the sides of fandom that I'm not talented enough (or too anxious, looking at you cons) to take part in. If it had a more solid demographic I would've been more impressed!
    • 5/5
      I knew this book would have me hooked from the dedication, because I too was pulled into games with Dad from a young age, including Doom and Myst. As a girl who grew up proudly geeky, a good deal of this book told me things I already knew, but they were things that I reacted to with, "Yes! This!" I can only hope that people who don't already know will pick it up and learn from those things. And for what I didn't know, I picked up a wealth of new info and resources! I already have a series of open tabs in Chrome of things to check out, from a new barcade opening soon in my city to a con I had never heard of before this! This book is perfect for both the new and the veteran girl geeks. I can't wait to tell my friends about it!
    • 4/5
      What an fun book! I loved it. I'm so glad I won it from Quirk Books through Library Thing because it's going to be the absolute perfect present for my little sister. And it was just a super fun read. As a life long nerd and fangirl, this book really resonated with me. It was fun to see all the little quirks of fandom laid out on the page. It's not an academic look but a sort of insider look at the sort of stuff we do normally. And it seems like it's a pretty decent guide to first timers. There are sections on starting out with fanfiction and cosplay, navigating the online world, identifying fandoms, and attending your first convention among other things. It's like a crash course in fangirl and while I think for most people it's going to be a cool little novelty book that lets us squee over ourselves and enjoy the validation of all we do and all we have accomplished as fangirls, I think it'd be really helpful to people who are just starting to realize that being a nerdy girl and being a fangirl is okay. We're in a pop culture golden age for the nerds and I think this book could actually be great for some people. It's pretty comprehensive when it comes to just generally being a fangirl. And it has some really great resources for places online to read more about the things you love and find new friends. It's also got some pretty cool, short interviews with some of the more well-known fangirls out there. Definitely worth a read and the PERFECT gift for veteran fangirls and newbies alike.
    • 4/5
      This was a cute, fun little book! Not really designed for those of us with many years of fangirling under our belts, it's a great intro for the younger (or just newer!) set. I'd highly recommend this as a gift to the little sister or niece who's just realizing that there is a wide world of fandom out there ahead of her. There are tips for going into internet fandoms, planning cons, and even getting started on cosplay.Received as part of LibraryThings's Early Reviewers program.
    • 5/5
      This was a lot of fun to read! It's packed with everything from interviews with writers and artists, to fanfic terms and definitions, to cosplay how-tos. Since it IS more of a beginner's guide, there is not a lot of new info for those of us who have been participating in fan communities for awhile already, but I still found it very enjoyable. It's always exciting to meet other fans of the things you love, and reading this felt just like meeting one of those new best friends! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go look up all the cool websites Maggs references at the end of the book.
    • 4/5
      A beginners' guide for girls, young and not so young, who are new to the world of sci-fi fandom. A fun, quirky, and informative collection of tips for online and IRL (conventions specifically). There's a girl power chapter too with tv show, game, and book suggestions. The last section has a list of some pretty cool websites. Thanks for the Nerdy Nummies inclusion; I now have an excellent Captain America ice cream sandwich recipe! Net Galley Feedback
    • 4/5
      A how-to guide for those of us who are geekish and female. Tips on attending cons, cosplaying, finding fellow fangirls, and how to deal with the online communities. Could have used this when I was in con-going mode. A quick read and a helpful book to have if you're a bit on the shy side.
    • 4/5
      This is an adorable book that defines just what a fangirl is. Of course, I already am truly versed in what this is--being that I am one myself. I see this book as being a guide for middle school girls to read for fun.
    • 5/5
      I got this book in the mail and immediately started reading it regardless of the fact that it does not come out until mid-May (it was in December when I got it). I loved reading this book. I am a nerd girl, I fangirl over books, tv, and comics; I play World of Warcraft just for the fun of it - I am not a serious player by any means; I have attended cons and this book was still up my alley. It was a wonderful overture of the girl-nerd scene and the dos and don't.Sam does a great job of explaining the various groupings of girl-geeks, the lingo, the fun stuff we do and want to do and I think this is a wonderful book for those timid fangirls waiting to share their nerdiness with the world - or even just their friends. She intersperses her how-to guide with interviews with awesomely nerdy and powerful women talking about being fangirls and how their geekiness has impacted their lives and they are funny, great reads.My only issue is that it reads a little between the teen and new adult age groups... I think that when some teens read it, it may be a bit over their heads and when some new adult ages read it will be a 'duh' moment - but overall I think it packs a powerful punch, we are girls and we are nerdy and that is great!This book made me want to do all the nerdy things at ones, watch all the TV shows, movies, read all the comics, graphic novels, and books and go to all the cons in cosplay. Loved it!
    • 2/5
      Obligatory Disclaimer - I am most definitely not a fangirl, although I am a fan; one who started his fanac long enough ago that to most young people involved in fandom (including my son) it is the equivalent of the Dark Ages (i.e., pre-Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. - there was an Internet and e-mail, but not much else). So when I read this book, I look at it with a different viewpoint than the expected audience.The book covers a great many areas that are presumably of interest to a girl interested in fandom, which is so wide an area that it's impossible to go into much depth on anything in the 200-odd small pages the book contains. TV shows, websites, cosplay, cons - everything is noted, but there's not a lot of detail on any given subject. For example, the section on SDCC correctly notes that there will probably be lines for everything (some lasting overnight) and that there is a housing lottery, but misses the point that these days the con is so popular that you almost have to inherit tickets to get any. Also, there is good advice to save up well in advance for a convention you want to attend, but girls at the lower end of the age spectrum who might find this book useful may also find a problem in getting permission to travel cross-country by themselves. The book also suffers from a lack of an index, since many topics are buried deep inside the four chapters.All in all, this book is a decent introduction to fannish culture for someone who knows what they like but doesn't know how to find others like her. Its best message may be just that; don't be afraid to like what you like, to thine own self be true, and illegitimi non carborundum.
    • 3/5
      A nice light read of an introductory guide to fandom. It's nothing terribly in depth - probably it couldn't be while covering fandom in the general sense in only two hundred pages - but there are some interesting recommendations in the chapter on geek feminism and it would make a cute stocking stuffer for the nerdy woman in your social circle.
    • 3/5
      I picked this up because I admit to being a fangirl about certain things. This covers just about everything about fandom you can think of the top of your head. Lots of points about where to get started on fan fiction, conventions, cosplay and other stuff. Most of what it covered I knew and I just had a few minor nitpicks about things but overall it was a nice. There is even a section about how to handle trolls, which is a sad state of the internet that it has to be address.

      Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
    • 4/5
      Sam Maggs mentions in The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy that her book is the only one written for geek girls and fangirls; however, that’s not true. In 2011, Leslie Simon wrote a book called Geek Girls Unite. That being said, The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is much more up to date, includes even more geeky awesomeness, and is all around better suited as a guide to entering the geek world no matter what amount of knowledge you might have about it. I’ve been a geek my whole life, and I bookmarked multiple pages concerning things I had no idea existed.

      Since the copy I received was an uncorrected ARC and I don’t have a published copy to compare it to, I won’t go into details as to what is or isn’t in the book. However, I will say that the one problem I had with it is that it assumes the reader can afford their fandom(s). As someone who often can’t afford to buy a graphic novel or materials to make a decent cosplay outfit, I would have appreciated the inclusion of something like what Omar and Mia do in their 2 Broke Geeks videos.

      Overall, this is a great book for any geek girl, no matter what your fandom is or how knowledgeable you are about what the geek world has to offer. If you’re a broke geek, check to see if the book is at your local library and then take lots of notes. After you’re done, head over to the 2 Broke Geeks Youtube channel to find out how you can celebrate your geekiness without having to live off of 3 for $1 microwave burritos from the grocery store.
    • 5/5
      (Received as Early Reviewers copy from Librarything.com)I love that this book exists! It's a book that every fangirl should have in their library. Not only is it a fun read sprinkled with some awesome nerd references, but everyone can learn something from this book. I know I did.I consider myself a fangirl, and have for some time, but I do remember the days when I would deny this term believing that it was for overly enthusiastic girls who squeal all the time. Someone would say the word 'fangirl' and I would roll my eyes. It took most of my undergrad years to actually realize that I was a fangirl and that I should wear that badge proudly. The female nerd community is a great thing to be a part of, and I can't imagine life without the periodic nerd sessions that I have with many of my girlfriends.While reading "The Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy" I felt even more connected to this community than before. Even though we might be a part of different fandoms, there is one thing that all fangirls have in common, and that is an extreme passion for something that really speaks to us. Knowing this allows us to respect each fangirl's passions. I have never been able to get into anime, but I respect the fangirls that love it as much as I love Star Wars and Dr. Who. They share the same level of passion as I do, just about something else. What's not to respect about that.I also learned quite a few things from this book. I learned more about some of the lingo used online and what some of the fandoms are called. (Is Star Warrior an actual thing now?) I even learned a little bit more about fanfiction, and it kind of made me want to write some of my own. And one of the best parts about this book—great suggestions for further reading and watching. I think I requested practically every book that Maggs suggests from the library, and I am super excited to start reading some fangirl awesomeness. (However, the first book of Tamora Pierce's Immortals series is call 'Wild Magic' not 'Wild Mage'.) I also learned about The Doubleclicks and they are amazing! They sing songs about nerdery and awesomeness. (They have a song about Mr. Darcy/Colin Firth that I can't stop listening to.)I loved so much about this little book, but I think I have pin-pointed the three most important things that Sam Maggs talks about in this book.1.Never feel that you are inferior. Sometimes, male nerds feel that you need to prove your nerd cred by asking questions about your fandom or simply discrediting you automatically. Never let that make you feel like less of a fan. Just because you don't know the exact details of every major DC or Marvel character's origin stories does not make you less of a fan. Maggs reiterates this multiple times, and for good reason. If you love it with a fiery passion, you don't have to prove this love to anybody. The only time someone should be quizzing on your fandom is during Trivia Night.2.Fangirls have to support each other. Because of the above stated circumstances, we fangirls have to stick together and support each other. If you see a fellow fangirl doing some great work, be it in fanfiction, fanart, or their very own creation, support them. Share it with your friends, on social media, everywhere. Fangirls are more than just fans, we also act as a support group for each other. Always be respectful of fellow fangirls, cause we are all in this together.3.Feminism is awesome. There are so many misconceptions about feminism, and Maggs does a great job of debunking some of those misconceptions. Feminism is key in fangirl culture and every fangirl should wear their feminist badge just as proudly as their fangirl one.This book is an essential for any and all fangirls, and it's great to finally see this kind of book out in the world. Sam Maggs is funny and really knows her nerd culture. She's gives some awesome advice about navigating this amazing world of fangirldom. A must read.