Hoaxes

It is a special tradition in fandom to fake things, like persons (Carl Joshua Brandon; Carl J. Brandon, Jr.), fanzines (Ploy #1), conventions (InVention) or deaths (Bob Tucker has "died" several times). Should be done with care. Hoax deaths, not at all; they're not really funny and are often harmful – a Tucker death hoax brought about the end of the Great Staple War and a Willis death hoax nearly ruined the WAW With The Crew in '52 campaign.

See also Hoax Bids.

Contributors: Dr. Gafia

From Fancyclopedia 2, ca. 1959

Since most of the contacts in fandom are by mail, it is very easy to put something over on the fans for a while, tho almost impossible to keep a secret permanently, or for as much as a year. The most successful hoaxes in fandom have been establishment of penames, like Carl Brandon, Joan Carr, and John A. Bristol‏‎, as being an actual person. Such tricks have made fans wary, so that each newcomer is scrutinized suspiciously to see whether he looks phony in any way, or whether his address or writing style suggests some known fan. On occasion quite genuine people like Boyd Raeburn and Dick Eney have been accused of nonexistence. Other hoaxes in fandom have included the pseuicide, Tucker and Willis Death Hoaxes, and Odd Tales. Not exactly hoaxes are things like Lee Hoffman's pre-Nolacon existence.

From Fancyclopedia 1, ca. 1944

Since most contacts in fandom are by mail, it is very easy to put something over on the fans for a while, tho almost impossible to keep a secret permanently, or for as much as a year. The commonest kind of hoax is to establish a pename like John A. Bristol‏‎ or Peggy Gillespie, as being an actual person. Such tricks have made fans wary, so that each newcomer is scrutinized suspiciously to see whether he looks phony in any way, or whether his address or writing style suggests some known fan; sometimes quite genuine neofytes find themselves accused of nonexistence. Other hoaxes in fandom have included the pseuicide, the Sydcon, and Odd Tales