Welcome to Fan Fiction Week
Without fan fiction, much of our literary canon simply would not exist. From classics like The Odyssey to modern phenomena like The Love Hypothesis, many of our favorite stories are inspired by, based upon, or an outright homage to others that came before them. And while not everything that pays tribute to another great piece of art is legally or technically fanfic, you can find the spirit of fan fiction everywhere.
At Bustle and Inverse, we love exploring the most interesting corners of entertainment. But we, like you, are fans — fans who let the TV, films, and books become part of our imaginings.
Fan fiction can be steamy and sometimes elicit a chuckle or make us blush (or both!). But it is prevalent in pop culture, and as this week’s series of articles will reveal, it's also woven into the history of the best fictional worlds. Over the next few days, we’re teaming up to dive into Heated Rivalry’s fic boom, the rise of LitRPGs, how Star Trek created fanfic as we know it, the story behind the Star Wars fic that created The Love Hypothesis, how fans got their own sex education via the spiciest fics, and much more.
We hope you’ll discover something new to love about your favorite fandom or, even better, feel inspired to create your very own fanfic. If there’s anything we’ve learned from writing, editing, and researching this special issue, it’s that the power of great fiction is already in all of us.
— Gabrielle Bondi, Entertainment Editor, Bustle
— Ryan Britt, Features Editor, Inverse
Andy Weir Loves Your 'Project Hail Mary' Fanfic
Andy Weir doesn’t just like fanfic. He’s been doing it for decades.
Bustle Fan Fiction Week
The Wild World of “BatJokes” Fanfic
Batman and the Joker have been bitter enemies forever, but to a lot of fans, there's a lot more under the surface.
Toxic Yaoi! The Weirdest Fanfic Trope Is Suddenly Everywhere
Can’t men just be enemies? Well, it’s less fun that way.
Star Wars Fans Are Cranky. But Star Wars Fanfic Writers Are Having A Blast
As the fandom drifts from the saga that started it all, a new saga takes center stage.
How Star Trek Created Fan Fic As We Know It
The final frontier was the foundation for fan fiction.
Andy Weir Loves Your 'Project Hail Mary' Fanfic
Andy Weir doesn’t just like fanfic. He’s been doing it for decades.
What Are LitRPGs Anyway? How I Learned To Love 'Dungeon Crawler Carl'
Here’s what the newest subgenre craze is all about.
How the Most Controversial Star Wars FanFic Created 'The Love Hypothesis'
Maybe certain Star Wars fans were right all along.
