Timeline of Fanfiction Meta

This page lists meta, news media commentary, and other written discussion about fanfiction, arranged in chronological order.

There is a great deal of discussion of fanfiction in Category:Perspectives on Fans, and its subcategories, Category:Academic Commentaries, Category:Industry, and Category:News Media. For fannish meta on fanfiction, see Category:Slash Meta, Category:Concrit & Feedback Meta, Category:Fanfiction Meta, Category:Mary Sue Meta.

Undated/General

• Metafandom's fanfic tag on Delicious. (2007-2011) (Delicious is offline and long-gone)
• Tips for writing a good fanfic (undated, around 1997 or 1998)

1983

• Shady Thoughts: "Why Do You Waste Your Time Writing This Stuff?" by Roberta Stuemke (1983)

1985

• Shady Thoughts: Why I Like Reading/Writing Fan Fiction by Misty Lackey (1985)

1996

• Fan Fiction -- Why?, ^{Archived version} (discussion at alt.startrek.creative) (1996)

1998

• The Advantages of Erotic Fan Fiction as an Art Form and The Advantages of Fan Fiction as an Art Form by Jane Mortimer (1998)
• Fanfic Advice by angel_roswell (1998)
• Survival Guide to Electronic Fanfic by Margaret A Martin (1998)
• What If? How Fan Fiction Creates An Interactive Media by J.P. McLaughlin (1998)

1999

• The Misery Trap by Emily Brunson (1999)
• Fan Fiction and Story Structure: Working within an established milieu to hone story-telling skills by Anne Haynes (likely 1999)
• Slash Fiction is Like a Banquet by Arduinna (March 1999)
• What Makes Fan.Fic Tick? by Laughlin B. Cunned (1999)

2000

• I read a story then I forgot it right away by Alison V. Taylor (2000)
• I'm Not Crazy--and I write Hansonfiction by Misty (2000)
• Why do people write fanfic?, ^{Archived version} by The Brat Queen (probably 2000)
• When Guys Write Fanfiction by Jean Marie Ward (2000)
• The Feminine Tendencies of Fandom by Fialka (2000)
• Fanfiction: A New Form Of Internet Literature by Erwin Anciano (2000)
• Amateur to Amateur: A Non-expert's Guide to Expert Writing (Adapted for Writing Fan Fiction) by Wayne Schmidt (June 24, 2000)

2001

• Religion in fan fiction -- essential or sacrilege? by Cairnsy (March 8)
• Lame TV season? Write your own episodes online (August 22 2001)
• In defense Of Hansonerotica: Sin Or Pleasure by Nanaja (2001)
• Why Write Fanfiction? by Naomi Prince (2001)
• Anatomy of a Fanfic by Helena Handbasket (2001)
• The I Hate Fanfic Rant O' Doom by Mie Tsukikoushi (2001)
• How to Write Bad Fanfic in 10 Easy Steps
• Researching Fiction by CLS
• Blurred Vision: Writers Tips and Essays: General fanfiction advice (2001?)
• Philosophy of Fan Fiction by Deva

2002

• Crimes of the Heart: Why Fan Fiction Sucks by Steve Darlington (January 2002)
• Anxiety, Influences and Fanfic ; archive link, page 1; archive link, page 2 by Thamiris (January 2002)
• On Swinging Both Ways: Fannish and Pro by Kass (2002)
• Quality vs. Quantity or How I learned to stop editing and love the bomb by Helena Handbasket (2002)
• It's Only Fan Fiction by Mary Jean Holmes (2002)
• Mythology and Fandom by Jenavira (July 2002)
• Language: The Foundation on Which Fic Was Built (July 30 2002)
• Fanfic Writers. Gah. I Hate You All. (Aug 2002)
• Fan Fiction: Bane or Boone?
• >>fanfiction tips by Jessica A. Walker
• The Scenic Route by Merlin Missy (2002)

2003

• Older Authors vs. Younger Authors (March 2003)
• Fan Fiction and the Internet (March 2003)
• 28 things I hate in fanfiction by allaire mikháil (March 2003)
• Ficcer pride by kattahj (April 2003)
• Fan Fiction Comes Home to Roost (April 2003)

2004

• Fanfic: is it right to write?
• Why we write by The Brat Queen
• Natasha Walter: Fan fiction on the internet is revitalising classic stories and bringing back an oral tradition to society; The Guardian, ^{Archived version} (2004)
• Writing fanfiction is a HOBBY. I do it because it is FUN. by Shieldmaiden of Encinitas (mirabellawotr) (May 2004)
• Fanfic is Good for Two Things - Greasing Engines and Killing Brain Cells (May 2004)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by Melusina, ^{Archived version} (2004)
• Why I Write Fanfiction, ^{Archived version} by Melusina (2004)
• Fanfiction - Cultural Phenomenon, ^{Archived version} by Silent Bystander (2004)
• The Hidden Authors: A Study and Survey of Fan Fiction Writers by William Lewis Bolt (May 2004)
• Actually, I think debates about fanfiction are boring. And pointless. And such a waste of perfectly good time when people could be telling stories. by matociquala (July 2004)

2005

• Phrases I'm Getting Mighty Tired Of, ^{Archived version} by C.M. Decarnin (January 4, 2005)
• Fanfic is Hard to Write, ^{Archived version} by Catherine Rain (2005)
• Steal, schmeal by carenejeans (February 2005)
• Fandom Meta : Forumula vs Quality: A reader's view on fanfic writing, ^{Archived version} by Nikki (May 2005)
• Fanfic: Electrifying the Oral Tradition, essay by Red Hen on their website (May 2005)
• Of Fanfics and Roleplaying Games as two sides of the Geekdom coin (August 7 2005)
• To Save or Not To Save (Fanfic); archive link page 1; archive link page 2; archive link page 3 by bethbethbeth (August 2005)
• Ephemeria and fandom, ^{Archived version} by aelfgifu (2005)
• Who's fic is it anyway? by profshallowness (2005)
• The Society for the Rescue of Fictional Characters, ^{Archived version} by janni (2005)
• The Fan Fiction Rant by Robin Hobb, including all the response posts and comments (May 2005)
• In Defense of Fanfiction: Guestblogger Justin Goes Robin Hobbnobbing, ^{Archived version}, November 09, 2005
• You Don't Know Jack, is a post that is likely related to Fan-Fiction and Moral Conundrums, by Lee Goldberg, June 30, 2005
• Insert obligatory "Jack" joke here, ^{Archived version} by caras_galadhon (comments on "You Don't Know Jack") (July 2005)
• on fanfic by Salieri (July 2005)
• Warning: Opinions of the Story are Not Necessarily the Opinons of the Author. by astrogirl2

2006

• A History of Male Involvement in the Fan Fiction Community by Laura Hale (January 15, 2006)
• Getting What You Need Out of Writing Fanfic aka Why Do People Write?, discussion at Fanthropology (February 2006)

• Fan fiction. Good or evil? You decide! by Meg Cabot (March 2006)
• the fanfic factory, ^{Archived version} by idlerat (March 2006)
• you have got to be kidding me, ^{Archived version} by seperis (August 1, 2006)
• Happy birthday to *you*, Mr. President., ^{Archived version} by liviapenn (August 10, 2006)
• Slashers who write hetsex.; archive link page 1; archive link page 2; archive link page 3, discussion at Fanficrants (October 2006)

2007

• The difference between fanfic and profic (2007 post), kradical (April 6, 2007), one set of response posts: "It's an exhibition not a competition, please no wagering." Part One; archive link page one; archive link page two -- "It's an exhibition not a competition, please no wagering." Part Two, ^{Archived version}, telesilla (April 9, 2007)
• The Love of Reading, ^{Archived version} by yourlibrarian
• How Fanfiction Makes Us Poor by cupidsbow
• Warning: Opinions of the Story are Not Necessarily the Opinons of the Author., ^{Archived version} by AstroGirl (January 2007)
• Further thoughts on fan fiction...; archive link page 1; archive link page 2 ; archive link page 3 ; archive link page 4 by ursulav (January 2007)
• In Defense of Crud by Henry Jenkins (February 11, 2007)
• Fanfic and Authorship, ^{Archived version} by ellen fremedon (April 26, 2007)
• The Philosophy of Poverty, ^{Archived version} by executrix (April 27, 2007)
• Rantidy rant rant rant..., ^{Archived version} by agilebrit (April 27, 2007)
• Putting Yourself in Your Fic on Slashcast (May 19)
• This is not about “intellectual property” by Teresa Nielsen Hayden (May 2007)
• In Praise of Fanfic by Cory Doctorow (May 2007)
• "You Mean Everyone Brought Potato Salad?" by Merlin Missy (December 28th, 2007)

2008

• Invaluable Lessons, ^{Archived version} by eurydice72 (2008)
• Fanfiction: A Cautionary Tale by Sylvia Bond (2008)
• Why I'm Not Going to Read Your Fanfic by Shana Mlawski (September 22, 2008)

2009

• The Heretic Loremaster » On the Term “Fan Fiction” …, ^{Archived version} (January 2009)
• So you want to write fanfictions on the internets by CC (traveller) (December 11, 2009}

2010

• Friction over Fan Fiction: Is this burgeoning art form legal? -- Literary Review of Canada, ^{Archived version} by Grace Westcott (2010)

• Professional Writers vs. The People Who Love Their Work, Round Umpty-Snout by thefourthvine (2010)
• Inside the World of Fan Fiction by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie (February 9, 2010)
• Author Pokes Fanfic Hive! Film at 11!, ^{Archived version} (2010)
• The Heretic Loremaster » Fan Fiction Is Fiction, ^{Archived version} (May 2010)
• Fan-Fiction and Moral Conundrums by Diana Gabaldon, including the many comments and response posts (May 2010)
• Let's Talk Fanfic Again..., ^{Archived version}, posted by seawasp (May 13, 2010)
• I'm done explaining why fanfic is okay., page 1, ^{Archived version}, page 2, ^{Archived version}, page 3, ^{Archived version}, page 4, ^{Archived version}, page 5, ^{Archived version}, page 6, ^{Archived version}, page 7, ^{Archived version}, page 8, ^{Archived version}, page 9, ^{Archived version}, page 10, ^{Archived version}, page 11, ^{Archived version}, page 12, ^{Archived version}, page 13, ^{Archived version}, page 14, ^{Archived version}, posted by Aja Romano (May 3, 2010)
• Author Pokes Fanfic Hive! Film at 11! by John Scalzi (May 5, 2010)
• Someone Is Angry On the Internet by George R.R. Martin (May 2010)
• The Pitfalls of Romance as a Genre, by yourlibrarian (June 2010)

• Why I almost never read fanfic written by men, ^{Archived version} by Jane Elliot (July 2010)

2011

• Silence in the Library: Archives and the preservation of fannish history (2011)
• Fanfiction - an homage or plagurism?, ^{Archived version}, WebCite page 2, WebCite page 3, WebCite page 4, WebCite page 5, WebCite page 6 (February 2011)
• Some uses for fanfiction by Patricia C. Wrede (May 2011)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by “Contributor” at Spark Life (May 6, 2011)
• Berlynn Wohl's Awesome Slash Tutorial For Cool People, by Berlynn Wohl (December 2011)

2012

• How a Professionals slash writer disrupts readers' expectations by S. W. (2012)
• Fan fiction is more than smut, post at Club Jade (2012)
• A literary genre that may be a lawyer’s fantasy – Biederman Blog, ^{Archived version} (2012)
• How I Came to Appreciate Fan Fiction by Sunita (March 14, 2012)
• An Academic's Defense of Fanfic by Emily for Tosche Station (April 18, 2012)
• As a professor, may I ask you what you think about fanfiction? (August 9, 2012)
• In the beginning, there was fan fiction: from the four gospels to Fifty Shades by Ewan Morrison for "The Guardian" (August 13, 2012)
• Sex, Desire and Fan Fiction by Foz Meadows for HuffPost (August 15, 2012)

2013

• Reader Request Week 2005: Creative Commons and FanFic/reference link, posted April 11, 2005, accessed May 34, 2013
• Re: 'Eras' of fic; or: nonnie is a curious young whippersnapper, ^{Archived version}, posted February 2013, accessed June 5, 2013
• Like Real Writing!, posted by Charlotte Frost, March 15, 2013; WebCite
• Mako's Tank: Daily Ravings of a Slash Hysteric -- Rant Ahead/reference link, posted December 1, 2001, accessed June 5, 2013
• only a little lion - "As a professor, may I ask you what you think about fanfiction?", posted August 9, 2012, accessed July 23, 2013

• In Defense of Fan Fiction by Alex Willging (July 2, 2013)
• In Defense of Fanfiction: getting beyond a weird bias by Brent Newhall for I.M.H.O. for (November 11, 2013)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by Rebecca Coffindaffer (December 16, 2013)
• Fan Fiction; Fifty Shades of Green by unknown author (December 31, 2013)

2014

• 365/365 Day 112: Defending Fanfiction by Will Watson at gameinformer (April 22, 2014)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by Kat Giordano for Geek Insider (May 27, 2014)
• fanfiction writers are not exempt of the responsibility of creating diverse media representation (June 6, 2014)
• A guide to fanfiction for people who can't stop getting it wrong, by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw and Aja Romano, "The Daily Dot" (June 17, 2014)
• In Defense of So-Called “Bad” Fanfiction by Emmy Ellis for The Mary Sue (August 7, 2014)
• An Open Letter About Fic Writers to Fic Readers, ^{Archived version} by wordstrings (August 25, 2014)
• Nenia Campbell's Blog - Fifty Shades of Deja Vu: Repackaging Fanfiction - October 12, 2014 00:08, ^{Archived version} (October 12, 2014)
• None Of This Is New: An Oral History Of Fanfiction by Jordan West for the Mary Sue (November 2, 2014)
• Should You Stop Your Fans Writing Fan Fiction? by Robert Wood (November 5, 2014)

2015

• In Defense of Fanfiction by Jane Smith for the Morningside Review (2015)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by Mckelle George (January 15, 2015)
• How I Started Writing Fan Fiction by lazypadawan (January 2015)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by Matthew Bowman at Novel Ninja (March 10, 2015)
• "It's a Fanmade World". Archived from the original on 2015-03-18., comments that begin about the article It's a Fanmade World: From One Direction to Soderbergh, but diverge later into a big discussion about fanfiction (March 2015)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by Brianna H. for Electronic Literature (March 15, 2015)
• In Defense of Fanfiction, ^{Archived version} by Jenna Burne at Geek Mom (April 10, 2015)
• Fanspeak: The Brief Origins Of Fanfiction (July 23, 2015)
• Is Fan-Fiction Wrong?, WebCite by sockii (2015)
• Fanfiction and self-publishing » Ludi Price, ^{Archived version} (2015)
• 13 Things Fan Fiction Writers Are Very Tired Of Explaining, ^{Archived version} (Mar 23 2015)
• An Open Letter to Fanfic Readers by bettydays (July 17, 2015)
• Imitation is Flattery: In Defense of Fanfiction, ^{Archived version} by Vanessa Willoughy at Book Riot by (November 18, 2015)

2016

• lierdumoa, roachpatrol: mercurialmalcontent: mistytang:..., ^{Archived version}, a Tumblr discussion (January 2016)
• Sleeps With Monsters: In Defence of Fanfiction, or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Trust Myself by Liz Bourke for Tor (January 5, 2016)
• In Defense of Fanfiction by Kaitlyn Booth at WatchPlayRead (January 18, 2016)
• In Defense of Fanfiction: Part 1 + In Defense of Fanfiction: Part 2 by Carlyn Greenwald at Neon Tommy (February 2016)
• More musings on writing advice: Honestly, I think..., ^{Archived version} and a response: imaginedmelody: shinelikethunder: More musings..., ^{Archived version} (March 2016)

• Fanfiction, women and sexuality, ^{Archived version} by Sam Fleming for "The Learned Fangirl" (March 2016)
• Fanfic (2016 essay by Ru) (2016)
• Why we're terrified of fanfiction; archive link by Constance Grady for Vox (June 2, 2016)
• Fanfiction isn't about muting the original stories. It's about heightening them. by Constance Grady for Vox (June 6, 2016)
• Authorizing Authorship: Fan Writers and Resistance to Public Reading, Cait Coker, Candace Benefiel (2016)
• Killing Literary Snobbery: In Defense Of Fanfiction -- Why I chose to celebrate the "black sheep" of the literature family., ^{Archived version} by Andy Krouse (August 1, 2016)
• Star Trek is at its best when it’s fan fiction of itself: Or, why holodeck episodes are great, shut up, ^{Archived version}, Susan Polo (September 2016)
• In Defense of Fanfiction – A Convert’s Tale by Ryan (November 22, 2016)
• In Defense of Fanfic by Sophia Simon-Bashall for Spark Movement (November 28, 2016)

2017

• You don't own your fics: Against the idea of ownership in fandom, by probablyintraffic (2017)

2018

• In defense of fanfiction by LightningStreak (February 2018)
• How do I defend the fact that I write slash fanfiction?, ^{Archived version} (March 2018)
• ON BENEFITS OF FANFICTION; OR, VETERAN OF THE FLAME WARS by Mason Chennells (April 2018)
• When I say “Fanfiction is free”... by kedreeva (December 1, 2018)

2019

• Why are people ashamed of writing fanfic? (February 10, 2019)
• It Used to be Perilous to Write Fanfiction; archive link by Gita Jackson (May 16, 2019)
• Fanfiction: The Infinite Free Buffet by Alexandra Rowland, (August 2019)

2020

• fanfic general, ^{Archived version}

2021

• Did you write stories based on stuff when you were young, but you didn't know it was called Fanfiction? (March 2021)
• What's in a Word? by yourlibrarian (August 22, 2021)

2022

• The Plight of the Former Fanfiction Author, ^{Archived version} by Casey Fiesler (August 27, 2022)