History Main / Fanfic

Currently, the largest source of fan fiction on the Net (and probably anywhere else) is the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aptly named]] [[Website/FanFictionDotNet FanFiction.Net]], which as of 2013 offered approximately nine million stories across all but a select few canons (which were banned due to creator request) and an automated system for posting. A newer site called Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn is starting to nip at [[Website/FanFictionDotNet FanFiction.Net]]'s heels, though, with over 1.7 million stories and less restrictions on what can and cannot be posted. And to top it all off, in mid-2013, Amazon.com joined in the act with its Kindle Worlds program, which allows for the publication and sale (!) of fan fiction from specific 'verses.

'''This page is for fan fiction. Other types of fan work belong on the subpages of FanWorks (FanFilm, FanVid, FilkSong, and so on).''' We're working on moving the misplaced works -- help {{Fan Film}}s, {{Fan Vid}}s, and others get to their correct index!

No statement on the legality of fanfic, based on works still under copyright, has ever been given in American formal law or in its courts. The two most common arguments for fanfic being legal involve either implied consent -- companies and authors have every right to enact a FanworkBan as evidenced by [[Website/FanFictionDotNet FanFiction.Net]]'s banlist but are mostly tolerant -- or fair use -- the non-profit, educational and transformative use of the work justifies its existence; see [[http://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1347&context=elr "Legal Fictions: Copyright, Fan Fiction, and a New Common Law"]]. The first is something of a misunderstanding of how legality works; you would need active permission from the rights holder for fanfics to be legal and silence does not impart permission. The latter is the main argument that sparked the development of the Organization of Transformative Works, a fan labor advocacy site.

Authors often have conflicted reactions to fan fiction set in "their" universe, which sometimes leads to the aforementioned FanworkBan. Creator/JKRowling has largely embraced ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' fanfics, albeit with certain limitations, for example, and Creator/TamoraPierce [[http://www.tamora-pierce.net/frequently-asked-questions/publishing-faq/ advises aspiring writers]] that fan fiction can be a good way to hone one's writing skills. Sir Creator/TerryPratchett acknowledged it exists and was cool about it, pointing out that ''everything works so long as people are sensible about it.'' He added two caveats: anyone doing ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' fanfics shouldn't even ''think'' of doing it for money, and authors should take care not to put it where he might see it -- since he didn't want to risk being accused of plagiarising his plagiarists (so to speak) for his own future plots, however inadvertently. Creator/GeorgeRRMartin, author of the epic fantasy series ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', [[http://grrm.livejournal.com/151914.html expressed his disdain for the practice]], saying that "creating your own characters is a part of writing." He's even gone so far as to threaten legal action should he become aware of any fan fiction set in the Westeros universe. In contrast, writer/journalist James Bow [[http://bowjamesbow.ca/2010/05/07/in-defence-of-f.shtml makes a rather firm case]] for supporting fanfics, pointing out that it forms a stepping stone ''towards'' creating your own characters and setting. As far as media businesses are concerned, reactions have ranged from Creator/ArchieComics demanding immediate removal to Creator/{{Paramount}} taking some of the better ''Franchise/StarTrek'' fanfics and having them published in print books.

* FanworkBan -- authors who forbid FanWorks. They tend to mostly be writers, and the type of fan work they tend to mostly ban are fanfics.

* to see what would have happen had events from canon played out differently (see WhatIf);

* to see what would happen if certain characters are placed in unusual situations (see AlternateUniverseFic),

* FanWorks/OtherMedia (Advertising, Asian Animation, Pro Wrestling, Puppet Shows, Roleplay, Podcasts, Theme Parks, Toys, Web Serials...)

* FanWorks/{{Crossovers}}

* FanWorks/WebVideos

Due to the inexperience of many fanfic writers, fan fiction has gained a reputation for being a source of [[SoBadItsGood horrible]], ''[[SoBadItsGood horrible]]'' [[SoBadItsGood writing]]. However there are fanfics out there that are [[FanFicRecommendations INCREDIBLY]] [[SturgeonsLaw good]] -- sometimes arguably being just as good as, if not better than, the original work.

Currently, the [[NotableFanFictionArchives largest source of fan fiction on the Net]] (and probably anywhere else) is the [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin aptly named]] [[Website/FanFictionDotNet FanFiction.Net]], which as of 2013 offered approximately nine million stories across all but a select few canons (which were banned due to creator request) and an automated system for posting. A newer site called Website/ArchiveOfOurOwn is starting to nip at [[Website/FanFictionDotNet FanFiction.Net]]'s heels, though, with over 1.7 million stories and less restrictions on what can and cannot be posted. And to top it all off, in mid-2013, Amazon.com joined in the act with its Kindle Worlds program, which allows for the publication and sale (!) of fan fiction from specific 'verses.

* FanWebcomics
** CompletedWebcomics
* FanWorks

* NotableFanFictionArchives

Of course, the hive mind has [[FanFicRecommendations a few favorites]]. There are also [[SoBadItsGood/FanWorks a few favorite unfavorites]], if that doesn't [[LogicBomb confuse you too much]]. [[TroperWorks Some here have even written a few]]. If you have any ideas for fan fiction you want to make public but are unable to write it yourself, go to the Sandbox/FanficIdeas sandbox.

'''Special note for authors of fanfics''': The fact that you wrote the fic gives you no say in whether or not we have a write up on it, unless you create the page for it yourself. Furthermore, you do not have more say on the contents of the page than any other author. You quite expressly do ''not'' have the right to have our page taken down because you wish to disown your work or because you don't like the tropes we have found in it. The page here is ours. The fic is yours. Those are different things.

'''Both:''' Ohohohohohohohohohohohoho!

Note that since this is intended to be an index of fics with pages, a RedLink will be frowned on and given a very brief (week or two) grace period before being removed by your fellow tropers. Start the page for the fic if you think it should be in this index.