Fanfiction's Mainstream Rise: From AO3 to Barnes & Noble

Labubu Controversies

• ⚠️ A British TikToker faced backlash for a custom Labubu doll painted black to resemble YouTuber KSI, sparking a blackface controversy.
• 🗣️ The creator apologized, citing a lack of education on blackface due to growing up in Spain, an excuse the hosts found questionable.
• 🧐 The discussion also touched upon a Labubu doll being placed on Karl Marx's grave, highlighting the absurdities of internet culture.

Personal Fanfiction Journeys

• ✍️ Both hosts shared personal experiences with fanfiction, from writing early 2000s Harry Potter stories to dreams of celebrity encounters.
• 🤫 Fanfiction was often written under anonymous pen names due to the stigma associated with the hobby.
• 📚 The hosts reflected on the desire to keep their early fanfiction private, fearing judgment from parents and peers.

Fanfiction in the Mainstream Publishing World

• 📈 Fanfiction is increasingly being recognized and marketed by traditional publishing houses.
• 📚 Examples include books like "Rose and Chains" based on Dramione (Draco/Hermione) fanfiction and "The Love Hypothesis" originating from Reylo (Rey/Kylo Ren) fanfiction.
• 🎯 Publishers are selecting fanfics that align with BookTok trends, often focusing on heteronormative, romance-driven stories.

The Impact of Mainstreaming Fanfiction

• 💰 The rise of fanfiction in publishing offers financial opportunities for writers, allowing them to be paid for their labor and gain copyright protection.
• 💔 However, there's concern that the commercialization of fanfiction may detract from its original purpose as a hobby and community-driven creative outlet.
• 🎮 The hosts expressed a sentiment that the commercialization benefits those who weren't part of the early fanfiction community, feeling it's a disregard for the origins of the movement.