Lynn S. Zubernis (Edited by) - Family Dont End with Blood: Cast and Fans on How Supernatural Has Changed Lives

FAMILY DONT END WITH BLOOD

No one knows the world of Supernatural better than Lynn Zubernisand this collection is a compelling exploration of the powerful binding spell woven by the Winchester brothers saga, and a terrific road map of the heavenly rewards that come from being part of the show or its one-of-a-kind fandom. In short, this book rocks.

MAUREEN RYAN, Variety

The intricate, delicate, and symbiotic relationship between actor and fan that has developed between the Supernatural cast and its impassioned following is the stuff of TV history. This book explores the nuances of that unique connection through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand, providing lessons in humanity, humility, and perseverance of the human spirit. The Supernatural family truly is lightning in a bottle. Its been amazing to be right there to watch it strike.

RICHARD SPEIGHT, JR., actor and director

The time I spent as a member of the Supernatural family remains a powerful professional and personal memory for me. Now, from a distance, I watch them all still; my former colleagues and the people who love them, on stage and screen, practically coining joy and inclusiveness, endlessly entertaining and always a part of something bigger. The thrilling levels of love and family play out forever, it seems, and I was fortunate to be a part of it, even for a short time. Of course, I dont need to encourage the fans to read it. But for those who dont know, or dont get it, for those who think that Supernatural is just another show, or who think its Fandom is just like any other fandom, Family Dont End with Blood is a sweet introduction to everything that makes the Supernatural experience unique. I can offer it no higher praise than this: It already occupies an honored place on Metatrons bookshelf!

CURTIS ARMSTRONG, author of Revenge of the Nerd and actor on Supernatural, Revenge of the Nerds, Risky Business, Better Off Dead, and Moonlighting

THIS PUBLICATION IS UNOFFICIAL AND UNAUTHORIZED. IT HAS NOT BEEN PREPARED, APPROVED, AUTHORIZED, LICENSED, OR ENDORSED BY ANY ENTITY THAT OWNS RIGHTS TO THE WELL-KNOWN SUPERNATURAL TELEVISION SERIES.

Copyright 2017 by Lynn Zubernis All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Smart Pop is an imprint of BenBella Books, Inc.

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First E-Book Edition: May 2017

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

ISBN 978-1-944648-35-0

e-ISBN 978-1-944648-36-7

Editing by Leah Wilson

Copyediting by Karen Levy

Production editing by Monica Lowry Proofreading by Michael Fedison and Sarah Vostok Text design and composition by Aaron Edmiston Cover design by Sarah Dombrowsky Cover illustration by Christine Griffin, quickreaver.com

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Sitting Shotgun with Jensen Ackles 2017 by Jensen Ackles I Found My Tribe 2017 by Karen Cooke

The Supernatural Effect 2017 by Jim Beaver We Love You Anyway 2017 by Lydia A. Cyrus Completely Natural 2017 by Rachel Miner A Supernatural Love Story 2017 by Adam Williams and Lucy Schneider The Road So Far 2017 by Laurena Aker

Wayward AF 2017 by Kim Rhodes

I Am You 2017 by Briana Buckmaster

Feel What I Feel, See What I See 2017 by Kim Prior The Power of a Picture 2017 by Stacey Anderson A Message from Misha Collins 2017 by Misha Collins Spreading Kindness Like Confetti 2017 by Claudine Hummel The Opposite of Fan Fiction 2017 by Osric Chau A Piece of My Heart 2017 by Sabrina Greenwood-Briggs Finally Me 2017 by Matt Cohen

At the Crossroads with Mark Sheppard 2017 by Mark Sheppard Fangirl 2017 by Lynn Zubernis

Tone Deef*: The Struggle Is Real 2017 by Ruth Connell Almost Supernatural 2017 by Gil McKinney My Hero Wears a Beanie 2017 by Kristin Ludwig Helping People, Saving Lives: The Family Business! 2017 by Karla Truxall Sober for Sam 2017 by Hallie Bingaman

Stroke of Luck 2017 by Rob Benedict

Cancer Watches with Me 2017 by Sheri Chen Non Timebo Mala 2017 by Breda Waite

Choosing Life 2017 by Burner Cade

What Does the Fandom Mean to Me? 2017 by Jared Padalecki

To my dad, Kevlin Walter Smith, who encouraged me all my life in every single thing I wanted to dothis book included. Miss you, Dad.

I Found My Tribe

Karen Cooke

The Supernatural Effect

Jim Beaver

We Love You Anyway

Lydia A. Cyrus

Completely Natural

Rachel Miner

A Supernatural Love Story

Adam Williams and Lucy Schneider

The Road So Far

Laurena Aker

Wayward AF

Kim Rhodes

I Am You

Briana Buckmaster

Feel What I Feel, See What I See

Kim Prior

The Power of a Picture

Stacey Anderson

A Message from Misha Collins

Spreading Kindness Like Confetti

Claudine Hummel

The Opposite of Fan Fiction

Osric Chau

A Piece of My Heart

Sabrina Greenwood-Briggs

Finally Me

Matt Cohen

At the Crossroads with Mark Sheppard

Fangirl

Lynn Zubernis

Tone Deef*: The Struggle Is Real

Ruth Connell

Almost Supernatural

Gil McKinney

My Hero Wears a Beanie

Kristin Ludwig

Helping People, Saving Lives: The Family Business!

Karla Truxall

Sober for Sam

Hallie Bingaman

Stroke of Luck

Rob Benedict

Cancer Watches with Me

Sheri Chen

Non Timebo Mala

Breda Waite

Choosing Life

Burner Cade

What Does the Fandom Mean to Me?

Jared Padalecki

Bonus Download

Acknowledgments

Photography Credits

About the Editor

About the Donations

When we think of the sorts of things that help people change for the better, we might imagine that perfect self-help book that contains the heretofore well-kept secret to happiness. Snap! Youre a changed person, just like the title claimed. Or maybe changing for the better means hitting bottom and turning your life around, like so many Hollywood films contend. Maybe its finding Prince (or Princess) Charmingor maybe its finding a good therapist. Most of us dont think of a television show as something that helps people change for the better. I certainly didnt.

I make my living helping people. As a psychologist, I have to understand what makes people happy and what makes them want to hide under their bedcovers and never come out again. Ive been privileged to learn from countless inspiring individuals who had a lot of crap fall in their paths and yet were able to eventually kick it out of their way or slog through it and keep going. In the process, Ive learned quite a bit about human nature and what we yearn for in that constant search for things that make us feel okay about ourselves and everyone else: Belonging and acceptance. Self-expression and creativity. A sense of excitement. Something to ignite our passion, inspire our intellect, and validate our emotions. These are the things humans long for; they are the things that make us happy.

For most of my career, I never thought of a television show, or a film or a book or a band, as something capable of offering all those things. That was before I fell in love with a television show and learned about the incredible community known as fandom.