Ah, yes, but it doesn't preclude in-fighting with the groups. As a newish member in one group, I found myself caught between our Weyrleaders, a lovely couple I was good friends with, and the editors who decided to make an Editorial Issue out of something that wasn't an issue. Needless to say, it got ugly fast, most of it aired in the zine itself. And then Anne stepped in.

Whenever one of my friends complains about how we're never in the same fandoms, part of me nods sympathetically and part of me is glad. Because when Pern went bad for me, I lost a whole cycle of friends that I had cojoled or interested in the fandom.