In recent years, fanfiction–that is, unofficial stories about the characters and worlds from popular media–has exploded into the mainstream. More and more professional writers are now coming out as fanfic writers too, many published novels have their origins as fanfiction works, and some have even argued that certain literary classics, such as Paradise Lost, are really fanfiction at heart. The boom in popularity reveals what fiction writers have known for a long time: fanfiction is an immense source of inspiration and play for writers of all levels.

In this seminar, we’ll explore fanfiction as a writing form unto itself. What makes a good fanfic? What special considerations does the form have? How do you capture the voice and feel of the original text while creating something wholly new? We’ll answer these questions and more through lively discussions and fun, creative writing exercises. Together, we’ll celebrate our favorite stories and work on developing our own!