Fred Patten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fred Patten
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| Born | Frederick Walter Patten December 11, 1940 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | November 12, 2018 (aged 77) Los Angeles, California |
| Occupation | Writer, historian |
| Subject | Science fiction, fantasy, manga, anime, furry fandom |
Frederick Walter Patten (born December 11, 1940 – died November 12, 2018) was an American writer and historian. He was famous for his work in science fiction, fantasy, anime, manga, and the furry fandom. He made a huge impact through his writing in books, magazines, and online.
Early Life and Interests
Fred Patten was born in Los Angeles, California, on December 11, 1940. He had two younger sisters. He started reading at a very young age, enjoying comic strips and Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. He also loved superhero comic books.
When he was about nine, science fiction became his main interest. He began collecting books from publishers like Ace Books and Ballantine Books. He also collected major science fiction magazines such as Astounding and Galaxy Science Fiction. In the late 1950s, he joined the world of science fiction fans, known as "fandom."
Fred went to the University of California, Los Angeles in 1958. He discovered the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society in 1960 and became very active in the fan community. By the time he earned his master's degree in Library Science in 1963, he had already been writing for fan magazines, called science fiction fanzines, for three years.
Contributions to Fandoms
In 1972, Fred Patten teamed up with Richard Kyle to open Graphic Story Bookshop in Long Beach, California. Fred discovered manga at a big science fiction event called Westercon in 1970. He knew about TV shows like Astro Boy but didn't realize they were from Japan until later.
Through his bookshop, Fred wrote to Japanese publishers to import their manga. He was very successful and became a pioneer in the anime and manga fan communities. In 1977, he helped start the Cartoon/Fantasy Organization, which was the first American anime fan club.
Fred also worked in libraries for many years. He was a technical catalog librarian at Hughes Aircraft Company from 1969 to 1990. After that, he was the first employee at Streamline Pictures from 1991 to 2002. This company was one of America's first to specialize in anime production. Fred often spoke at big conventions and lectured at universities in the U.S. and Australia.
He wrote many articles and monthly columns for magazines like Animation World Magazine and Newtype U.S.A.. He also served as the Official Editor for the Rowrbrazzle Amateur Press Association.
Fred had collected comic books, records, anime, manga, and science fiction items for over 40 years. His collection grew to almost 900 boxes! He donated everything to the Eaton collection at the University of California, Riverside. This collection is the world's largest of science fiction, fantasy, and horror materials.
Anime Work
Fred Patten also worked on many anime projects, often helping with writing, publicity, or translation. Here are some of the anime he worked on:
- Tekkaman: The Space Knight (1984, TV) – Writer/adapter
- Robot Carnival (1991) – Publicity
- Fist of the North Star (1991) – Publicity
- Vampire Hunter D (1992) – Marketing and Promotion
- The Castle of Cagliostro (1992) – Translation
- Nadia (1992–1993, TV) – Story Editor
- Neo-Tokyo 2099 (1993, featurette) – Unit Publicist
- Silent Mobius (1993, featurette) – Unit Publicist
- Golgo 13: The Professional (1993, featurette) – Unit Publicist
- Wicked City (1993) – Unit Publicist
- Lupin III: Tales of the Wolf (1993–1994, TV) – Story Editor
- Crying Freeman (1993–1995, featurette) – Publicity
- Doomed Megalopolis (1993–1994, featurettes) – Story Editor
- Dirty Pair: Project Eden (1994) – Story Editor
- Dirty Pair: Flight 005 Conspiracy (1994) – Story Editor
- 8 Man After (1994, featurettes) – Script Editor
- Lily-C.A.T. (1994) – Publicity
- 8 Man (1995, live-action) – Script Editor
- Lupin III: The Mystery of Mamo (1995) – Story Editor
- Crimson Wolf (1995) – Story Editor
- Babel II (1995, featurette) – Story Editor
- Casshan, Robot Hunter (1995, featurettes) – Story Editor
- Barefoot Gen (feature, 1995) – Story Editor
- Megazone 23, Part 1 (1995) – Story Editor
Awards and Recognition
Fred Patten received many awards for his dedication and contributions to different fandoms:
- Evans-Freehafer Award (1965): Given by the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society for service to the group.
- Sampo Award (1971): Presented at Westercon for "unsung" (behind-the-scenes) services to science fiction fandom.
- Inkpot Award (1980): Awarded at the San Diego Comic-Con International for "Outstanding Achievement in Fandom Services/Projects."
- Ursa Major Awards (2003): This award celebrates anthropomorphic (animal characters with human traits) literature and art. Fred Patten's edited book, Best in Show: Fifteen Years of Outstanding Furry Fiction, won for "Best Anthropomorphic Other Literary Work."
- Life Achievement Award (2006): Given at the 64th World Science Fiction Convention for his lifelong service to fandom.
- Forry Award (2009): Presented at LosCon for his "lifetime achievement in the field of science fiction."
- Furry Hall of Fame (2012): He was inducted into this Hall of Fame at the MiDFur convention in Melbourne, Australia, for his lifetime of service to the Furry fandom.
Death
Fred Patten passed away on November 12, 2018, at the age of 77.
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