Fan fiction

Fan fiction is fiction written by fans that uses characters, settings, or other elements from an existing work or fandom, usually without official authorization.

Fan fiction is fiction written by fans using characters and settings from existing works. Canadian readers are part of a large online community, but copyright law can affect what is lawful here.

What it is

Fan fiction (or fanfic) is amateur fiction that builds on pre-existing worlds, characters, or settings from books, films, TV, games, comics, or anime. It can stay close to the original story or create alternate universes. Common formats include short stories, one-shots, and serial works, typically shared online for free.

Legal issues

Because fan fiction uses copyrighted elements, its legality varies by jurisdiction. In Canada, copyright law may affect whether a particular work is lawful. Some works are tolerated by rights holders, others may be protected as fair use or fair dealing. Always check the specific legal context before publishing.

Key details

Fan writers often start with a source they know well, then choose characters or scenarios to explore. Communities use tags, summaries, ratings, and beta reading to organise and improve stories. Large archives like Archive of Our Own and FanFiction.Net host works across many fandoms, while smaller sites focus on specific series.