This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Fan fiction (from English. fan fiction) — are fan-made works of fiction based on pre-existing universes, characters or plots from books, movies, TV series, video games or even real people. It is a form of creativity where fans expand or reinterpret original stories by adding their own ideas, alternative storylines, or new characters. Another title of such works is — fan fiction.
The history of fan fiction: from the classics to the digital age
Although the term «fan fiction» appeared relatively recently, the very practice of creating works based on other people's stories has deep historical roots. For example, in the 17th century, the Spanish writer Alonso Fernandez de Avellaneda wrote an unofficial sequel to «Don Quixote» even before Cervantes completed his second part. In the 19th century, numerous unauthorized stories about Sherlock Holmes appeared, as well as adaptations of Jane Austen's works.
The modern phenomenon of fan fiction gained popularity in the 1960s thanks to fans of the series «Star Trek». They created and distributed their own stories through fanzines — self-published magazines dedicated to favorite characters such as Spock and Kirk. These fanzines became a platform for sharing creativity and discussing alternative plots.
With the advent of the Internet, fan fiction has received a new impetus. In 1998, the site was created FanFiction.Net, which became one of the first major online archives for fan works. In 2009, he appeared Archive of Our Own (AO3), a non-profit project that provides a platform for publishing and discussing fan fiction. As of 2025, AO3 contains more than 15 million works in more than 70,000 fandoms.
Fandom (from English. fandom, abbreviations from fan domain <TAG1> — fan sphere«) » is a community of people united by a common interest in a particular work, genre, character, celebrity or cultural phenomenon. Fandom includes fans who actively consume, discuss and often create content themselves based on their favorite source: fan fiction, fan art, videos, memes, theories, etc.
Fandom often has its own internal terminology, jokes, spikes (favorite couples), creative projects and active online life. Modern fandoms primarily function on social media (Tumblr, Twitter/X, Reddit, TikTok) or on platforms for publishing fan content. Within the framework of fandoms, fans not only express their love for the work, but also actively interact with each other, forming a whole subculture.
Types of fan fiction
Fan fiction covers a wide range of genres and styles. Among the most common types:
- Alternative Universe (AU): Characters are placed in a different setting from the original, for example, fantasy characters enter the modern world.
- Crossover: a combination of characters or plots from different works in one story.
- Romantic couples (spikes): Focus on romantic or sexual relationships between characters, often not represented in the original.
- Slash: depiction of romantic or sexual relationships between characters of the same sex.
- Real Person Fanfiction (RPF): Stories where the main characters are real celebrities such as musicians or actors.
Platforms for fan fiction
There are several popular online platforms where fans can post and read fan fiction:
- Archive of Our Own (AO3): a non-profit archive providing space for publishing and discussing fan works.
- FanFiction.Net: One of the oldest fan fiction platforms, covering a wide range of fandoms.
- Wattpad: A platform for publishing both fan fiction and original works, popular among young people.
- Tumblr: A social network where fans share short stories, illustrations and discussions related to their favorite fandom.
Known examples of fan fiction
Some fan fiction has gained wide popularity and has even been adapted for the mass market:
- «Fifty shades of gray»: Originally fan fiction on «Twilight», but later became a separate novel, changing the names of the characters.
- «After» Anna Todd: Originally fan fiction for the band One Direction, later adapted into a series of novels and films.
These examples demonstrate how fan creativity can turn into commercial success.
Legal and ethical aspects
It is worth emphasizing that fan fiction, as a rule cannot be used for commercial purposes, because they are created on the basis of intellectual property, the rights to which belong to authors, publishing houses or studios. Publishing or selling fan works without the permission of the copyright holder may be considered a copyright infringement. That is why most platforms where fan fiction is distributed prohibit its monetization. Even in cases where fan fiction becomes extremely popular, it usually requires a significant reworking of — to turn it into a commercial product, including changing the names of characters, setting, and unique elements of the original work, as was the case with «Fifty Shades of Grey». This approach avoids legal consequences and releases an adapted work within the limits of the law.
Fan fiction exists in the gray copyright area. Some creators of original works support fan creativity, others — oppose it. The «Organization for Transformative Works» (OTW) defends fan rights by arguing that fan fiction is a transformative use and falls under fair use principles.
The meaning of fan fiction
Fan fiction — is not only entertainment, but also a way of self-expression, exploration of alternative plots and deeper immersion in favorite universes. It promotes writing skills, creativity and forms communities of like-minded people.
In today's world, fan fiction has become an important part of pop culture, showcasing the power of fan creativity and its impact on literature and media.
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