FANCTION EXPLAINED
Find out all about this trend among fandoms!
- What is fanfiction?
Fan fiction or fanfiction (also abbreviated to fan fic, fanfic, fic or ff) is fictional writing written by fans,
commonly of an existing work of fiction. The author uses copyrighted characters, settings, or other intellectual
properties from the original creator(s) as a basis for their writing. Fan fiction ranges from a couple of sentences to
an entire novel, and fans can both keep the creator's characters and settings and/or add their own. It is a form of fan
labor. Fan fiction can be based on any fictional (and sometimes non-fictional) subject. Common bases for fan fiction
include novels, movies, bands, and video games.
Fan fiction is rarely commissioned or authorized by the original work's creator or publisher and is rarely
professionally published. Fan fiction is defined by being related to its subject's canonical fictional universe, either staying within those
boundaries but not being canon itself, or else branching outside of it into an alternative universe (AU). Thus, what is
"fanon" is separate from what is canon. Fan fiction is often written and published within circles of fans, and therefore
would usually not cater to readers who have no knowledge of the original fiction.
