If the genres of literature were students in high school, fanfiction would be the loner, sitting in the corner of every room and brooding in angst, or the designated misfit of the literary universe — overlooked, dismissed and most of all, unfairly judged.
Though criticized for not measuring up to more “legitimate” forms of writing, fanfiction has layers of creativity and fosters a loyal community that inspires members to write and read, allowing people to express their own interpretations.
In the same way we remix and reuse allusions and metaphors, fanfiction is another form of creative reimagining. If there’s one thing my AP Literature class has taught me so far, it’s that everything and anything can be related back to the Bible. Gardens, snakes, apples and floods all serve as universal symbols used to explore larger themes such as betrayal, sin and redemption.
In fact, the Bible is so widely recognized that even authors who are not explicitly religious incorporate biblical themes into their works. And isn’t it the same with “Harry Potter” or “Twilight” fanfiction? These two literary works are so widely known and integrated into modern pop culture that they are impossible to escape. For many authors, it is almost inevitable that their work draws inspiration from their own experiences with literature.
Over the years, many online reading platforms have emerged, free and accessible to anyone with an electronic device, expanding the audience for fanfiction and enabling faster exchange of ideas. For instance, Archive of Our Own, or “AO3,” was founded in 2008 and has rapidly grown to be one of the largest and most open stores of fanfiction. Users can upload, share, comment on stories and sort through their preferences with an intricate tagging system.
Wattpad, with over 90 million monthly users, is not only a platform for fanfiction but also a space where hundreds of writers publish their own novels and short stories, gaining both fans and opportunities for amateur writers to catch the attention of publishing agents. These platforms provide places and the first stepping stones for aspiring authors who want to tell their stories or bibliophiles in marginalized communities that lack the money to publish their works or purchase physical books.
This influx in published writers has increased representation and inclusivity in the fanfiction and literary community — a wide variety of different backgrounds, characters, experiences and cultural values reflected in each story — allowing readers to relate to these stories beyond mere entertainment.
Unfortunately, published works on platforms like Wattpad and AO3 are frequently mocked, with both writers and readers being looked down upon for interacting with stories that aren’t traditionally published and often considered as lower quality. But this varying quality may just be a natural opportunity cost for giving everyone the liberty of writing and adding their own twist onto stories. At the end of the day, the quality of one’s work is often subjective, but that shouldn’t take away the value of fanfiction or non-traditionally published stories. More importantly, looking down on these stories may discourage writers from writing at all.
Recent adaptations of fanfiction like “Fifty Shades of Grey” (inspired by “Twilight”), as well as “After” and “The Idea of You” (both originally Harry Styles fanfictions) have broken into mainstream media, demonstrating that the fanfiction community is still rapidly growing.
Throughout fanfiction, authors can challenge contemporary literature to reevaluate traditionally overlooked concepts such as a diverse cast of characters, found family, friendships and a deeper exploration of identity. While adaptations and fanfiction are sometimes dismissed as cringey or overly sentimental, truth be told, they bring joy and a sense of belonging to many. More importantly, fanfiction has cultivated a vast and inclusive community, democratizing storytelling by proving anyone with passion and creativity can contribute to the literary world.
Fanfiction plays a crucial role in our literary culture, shaping and influencing the original works it draws from while using innovative storytelling to challenge the rigid mold of mainstream conventions. Far from being the sidelined misfit of the literary universe, fanfiction deserves a seat at the literary table and recognition as a legitimate genre.
