Play Like a Fangirl

“A bold articulation and nuanced exploration of the ‘fangirl gaze’ that provides a refreshing expansion of our understanding of unproductive, playful, glorious pleasure. A worthy addition to the Playful Thinking series and the long history of fan studies.”
—Emily Friedman, Jean Wickstrom Liles Associate Professor of English, Auburn University

“Modern fandom is horny! Need proof? Open this book, which reveals how fangirls, sexuality, and the pursuit of pleasure drive popular culture, technology, and politics. Not too hot or cold, the approach is ‘just right.’”
—Chris Plante, Host and Founder, Post Games podcast

“An expansive text that proves when it comes to gaming everyone is in fact horny, and female-led fandom gives us the best ways to engage with our universal desire for pleasure.”
—Willa Bloomfield-Rowe, Co-host, Girl Mode podcast

“A fun and informative exploration of the changing landscape of sex and sexuality.”
—Annie Whitacre, Host, Sex Positive Gaming

• Kristine Ask is Associate Professor of Science and Technology Studies at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She is the author of Digitalization and Social Change and the founder and editor of Nordic Journal of Science and Technology Studies.

• Ashley ML Guajardo is Assistant Arts Professor at New York University. She is the author of Sexuality and Role-Playing Games and many articles and chapters on the topic of sex and games. In 2025 she was inducted as a Higher Education Video Game Association Fellow.

• Tanja Sihvonen is Professor of Communication Studies at the University of Vaasa, Finland, specializing in digital media, games, and internet cultures. She cofounded the Finnish Society for Game Research and was its first chairperson. She is the author of Players Unleashed!.

• Jess Tompkins is a user experience researcher specializing in video games. She has authored academic manuscripts in the Journal of Communication, Games & Culture, and Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. She is the editor of The Psychgeist of Popular Culture: The Mandalorian.

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