The X-Files fans have always been out there.
We look back at the internet-driven history of X-Files fandom.
It spoke to people who felt like outsiders or felt disenfranchised.
It found a truth that meant something different to every loyal follower.
That truth was always out there, but so were the fans.
And its impact has never left even after series initial end in 2002.
That following grew with persistent word of mouth on the internet.
It led to her assisting as a researcher for the first three episode guidebooks.
In the early years of the series, the official fan magazine had not been published.
Michael Marek, the webmaster ofThe X-Files Timeline, was able to do something rare amongstX-Filesfans.
He found a way to view all the episodes in advance, before their primetime showing.
His work helped fans get spoilers ahead of other sites.
Early fans broke a lot of ground with Fair Use issues and the internet.
Other terms now synonymous with the show came out ofX-Filesfan sites.
Early fans adopted the phrase X-Phile.
The Latin, Greek, and French meaning of the word Phile is enthusiast.
The impact of the fans on the writers in the early years has been noted before.
Some episodes took quotes from forum discussion boards.
Many of these events took on a certain lore over time.
I also found the movie-quality production, and the overall writing to be compelling.
It was a unique show which is why Im still drawn to it.
There was little inkling of what would come by the mid-2000s, when the series ended its initial run.
He also noted the creative spirit of authors and fan videos that kept the memory of the show alive.
My personal experiences with fans couldnt have been nicer.
I found many to be very smart and kind.
There was a maturity to the fandom that was appealing.
Many of these fans are intelligent, stimulating, and have always been interesting to speak with.
This is a fan base that includes writers with Ph.D.s that have written about different aspects ofThe X-Files.
Our site has been a comprehensive resource that acts as a facilitator between talent and the fans.
By October of 2007, word came out that a secondX-Filesfeature would go into production.
By this time, the advent of countless new sites came into play.
The site bridges the gap between new and old fans, and embraces the collaborative spirit of the community.
This fandom should be enormously proud of what it has accomplished so far.
Other sites have remained just as dedicated in their own way.Eat The Cornoffers in-depth analyses of the series.
He believes the show should be placed in the context of television history.
Sites likeX-Files Universehave offered their own unique perspective.
XFU provides a quality forum for fans to discuss the show.
Thats been my goal all along, a respectful forum run by fans of the show.
Her auctions and a book-signing event in 2011 went to the same cause.
Already over $10,000 has been raised for the ACS.
Ericas modest view of her role is a simple player in a large group of awesome nerds.
It is a place to explore the creativity of fandom and to speak the same vocabulary with like-minded people.
Theres a history of X-Philes writing theses on the series going as far back asThe X-Files University.
There were a lot ofX-Filesfans, but a lot of them were really young.
So, I think thats a great thing.
Not that they had young kids watching it, but it was likeSeinfeld, a family event.
To me, it seems now theres a specific group that seems to follow it.
Sheila is also married to Bob Goodwin, and currently is a personal therapist.
Waiters at fancy restaurants in New York would recognize me, Goodwin jokes.
If anything, it is growing all the more interesting.
Outside bloggers and writers likeJohn Kenneth Muirhave observed the progress of this fandom.
Many readers might have their own experiences with the online aspects ofThe X-Filesfan activity.
Many might have even attended past X-Files Expos and conventions, or built up their own relationships online.
Its a fascinating history for a show that spoke to the public in ways that were far reaching indeed.
