(Queer) Reader Writes Back: Understanding The Profusion if Queer Voices in Fanfiction - Volume 4 - Issue 1 - May 2024

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

“Fanfiction” names experimental storytelling where media fans craft their own versions of existing plots. In this mode, secondary writers often keep original characters while reshaping plot elements through intertextual cross-overs, alternate endings, and the insertion of the authorial self. Although commonly treated as modern, fanfiction has canonically existed since the 1950s, expanding globally through Internet platforms like Wattpad and Archive of Our Own. The study examines how fanfiction dissolves the boundary between audience and author and traces queer iterations that reveal submerged queercoding in mainstream productions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Fanfiction as audience-driven narrative

Queer iterations in fanfiction and queercoding

Case studies: Drarry, Johnlock, Ineffable Husbands

Impact Factor: 7.53 IJARSCT ISSN (Online) 2581-9429 International Journal of Advanced Research in Science, Communication and Technology (IJARSCT) International Open-Access, Double-Blind, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed, Multidisciplinary Online Journal Volume 4, Issue 1, May 2024 The (Queer) Reader Writes Back: Understanding The Profusion if Queer Voices in Fanfiction Sneha Dominic I M. A. English Language and Literature Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai, India [snehadominic41@gmail.com](snehadominic41@gmail.com) Abstract: 'Fanfiction' is the moniker given to experimental forms of story-telling wherein 'fans' of a particular form of media (books, movies, shows, and so on) craft their own versions of the plot. In this mode of literary expression, the secondary writer generally retains the original characters but alters elements of the plot, through intertextuality (colloquially termed 'cross-overs'), alternate endings and inserting the authorial self into the narrative. Contrary to the popular notion that this is a modern invention, fanfiction has canonically existed from the 1950s, with unacknowledged versions of this phenomena existing since the dawn of literature itself. In our post-modern technological society, with the help of the Internet, fanfiction has become part and parcel of literary consumption worldwide. The immense popularity enjoyed by applications and websites like Wattpad, Archive of Our Own etc is proof of the ubituquous nature of audience-driven digital literature. Although generally overlooked by academicians and literary scholars asa viable field of academic research, fanfiction has far-reaching impacts on the way literature is consumed today, especially by the younger generation. This paper aims to study the way fanfiction breaks the hitherto insurmountable boundary between the audience and the author by entering the reader into the creative process. Moreover, a trend observed in recent years has been the mushrooming of queer iterations of mainstream heterosexual narratives, in fanfiction. The paper will therefore also attempt to trace the connection between this proliferation of young, queer voices in fanfiction and how it succeeds in revealing the submerged queercoding in the popular literary productions ofthe day. This paper will explore popular"ships" like 'Drarry'from the Harry Potter franchise, 'Johnlock'from the popular BBC series Sherlock and the 'Ineffable Husbands' (Aziraphale / Crowley) from the novel-turned-series Good Omens by Neil Gaiman for the purposes of this study. Keywords: Fanfiction Copyright to IJARSCT [www.ijarsct.co.in](www.ijarsct.co.in) DOI: 10.48175/568 1

FAQs

What is fanfiction and how is it typically constructed?

Fanfiction refers to experimental storytelling where fans create their own versions of existing plots. Secondary writers usually retain original characters while altering plot through intertextual cross-overs, alternate endings, and authorial self-insertion.

How does the paper describe the historical and technological development of fanfiction?

The paper argues that fanfiction canonically existed from the 1950s and has expanded in the post-modern technological era via the Internet. Platforms such as Wattpad and Archive of Our Own demonstrate its global, audience-driven role.

What role do queer narratives and queercoding play in fanfiction, according to the study?

The study links the proliferation of young queer voices in fanfiction to the way it reveals submerged queercoding within popular mainstream literary productions. It also discusses popular “ships” as part of this exploration.

Aug 25, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana