The Past, Present and Future of Fan Fiction

This reprint of our Special Issue on the past, present and future of fan fiction explores how digital culture and changing fan practices have helped to transform what was an already transformative genre. Experts in the field interrogate the form and nature of fan fiction today, as the rapidly growing digital world allows anyone and everyone to read, write and share their stories with a global audience. The focus is not just on established genres, authors or franchises, but also on aspects of social and digital media that offer platforms for fan communities to seek out and read fan fiction. This collection of essays and a roundtable of established scholars in the field serves to remind readers that while all fans enjoy the story worlds created for them, many want to expand and create their own.