John Ordover

John Ordover is a science fiction editor who managed a series of Star Trek tie-in novels in the late 1990s for Pocket Books until August 2003.
He discovered USENET in 1998 or 1999, and visited several fan fiction newsgroups to express his disdain for amateur versions of what he edited professionally.
On alt.tv.x-files.creative, this developed into a long-running series of flamewars, known as the Ordover Wars .The Woodwards. The Ordover Files, 01 January 1999. (Accessed 30 October 2010) For many participants, this constituted their first flamewar, their first encounter with a professional editor, and possibly their first direct exposure to disapproval of fanfic as not worthwhile.
He did the same on alt.startrek.creative, where he also trumpeted his plan to get fans to write 'real', published work, by publishing an anthology of Star Trek short fiction. Several ASC fans were, in fact, published in the resultant anthology, Strange New Worlds.
Ordover's posts generally caused ire and fannish solidarity, and despite its flameyness many old X-Philes recall the Ordover Wars with great fondness.
==An Ordover Pattern==
Many fans on the Usenet sites refused to use his given name, referring to him as "O," or "the man they dare not say his name," or "J*hn *rd*v*r at P*ck*t B**ks" or "Ensign Or[censored]." This was done in attempts to keep Ordover from coming to the discussion groups, as many fans believed he searched his name and showed up after his name was mentioned on the list. "shhhhh! When you mention his name, he has a way of just turning up." -- ASC (2000) An example of other creative fannish spelling for the similar reasons are those for Will Shetterly. 
This was confirmed by Ordover himself in December 1998: . 
While many fans disliked what they perceived to be Ordover arrogant intrusion, other fans found it appealing, and enjoyed having the attention of someone in the industry: 
Irregardless of the reception to Ordover's participation, there was often a pattern: Ordover's name would come up in a Usenet post, or at least in one instance, as the topic of the satiric story The Bridges of Ordover County. Ordover, searching his name, would then insert himself and respond in these discussions. Some of those discussions included Ordover's socks and almost always became quite heated.
==Ordover and Sockpuppets==
Ordover sockpuppeted himself (perhaps unintentionally, signing in from different accounts at work vs. at home). These puppets may also have been intentional. See In support of Ordover.
=="Clothing Optional", and a Prankster==
Mr. Ordover is no stranger to controversy, or to media attention, and likes to stir things up. , by Brad Stone, September 11, 2007 
Ordover is the founder of "Clothing Optional Dinners," which was a monthly gathering of nudists or naturists at various restaurants around Manhattan, New York. Naked Dining in Manhattan, August 13, 2005 He was also an organizer for nude dinner cruises. CODINNERS - Clothing-Optional Dinners - No hot soup..., 2007, accessed March 15, 2017 
==Usenet Post Examples==
* (February 16, 1996)
* (March 28, 1998)
* (December 4, 1998)
* (December 6, 1998)
* (December 7, 1998)
* (December 8, 1998)
* In support of Ordover (October 11, 1999)
==Interview==
* 
==Links==
* Ordover was an attendee at SFWA New Yorker Reception, photos, November 2000
 
==References==
Category:Perspectives on FansOrdover, JohnCategory:Fandom Occurrences