From 'Fans' to 'Fan'-tastic Writers: A Closer Look into Fanfiction and Legitimatizing Female Authorship through Fanfiction Writing
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Authors
Durden, Taylor Ann
Issue Date
2024-08-12
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Creative writing , English literature , Academic theses , Fan fiction , Fan fiction--Law and legislation
Alternative Title
Abstract
The increase in technology use remains constant and transforms how we interact, work, and access information in the digital age. As fanfiction grows in popularity, self-publishing platforms such as Archive of Our Own, Fanficiton.net, and Wattpad attracts the attention of big-name publishing houses. Fanfiction writing is a common way for young writers to experiment with writing at their own pace and advance into more difficult genres with a supportive community behind them. The audience for these stories is often other young female writers and readers, so this gives them the opportunity to build a strong rapport with other young readers who can relate to and engage with the narratives. Fan writing is important for young female writers and allows them to challenge gender norms, explore their sexuality, and can even be a gateway to professional writing. Most fanfiction writers included in this thesis concluded that writing fanfiction helped their writing tremendously and boosted their confidence in writing. Fanfiction writing has led young writers into and through their careers as respected authors as well as careers involving academic and legal writing. Specific copyright laws and procedures have been put in place to protect the original works as well as the fanfiction writers and as long as proper protocol is followed, fan writers can avoid legal trouble and copyright issues. Further, fanfiction empowers young female writers by providing a creative outlet for expression, developing creative and critical writing skills, encouraging support through fan communities, and encouraging critical engagement through narratives and society.
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This dissertation is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, revised in 1976). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgement. Use of the materials for financial gain with the author's expressed written permissions is not allowed.