Readers today are contemplating questions about the rise in fan fiction and asking if it can outsell more traditional books. One of the most interesting news items on this subject was the outselling of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series by E.L. James’ 50 Shades Trilogy. For those who don’t know, the latter is a fan fiction of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. While some claim this was due to the story’s erotic nature, people have started to wonder if fan fictions can outsell traditional books.
What is Fan Fiction? Fan fiction is a type of writing where the reader creates a story based on another author’s book. It is an expression of his/her interest in the author’s imagination and a connection with other fans. While fan fictions are as old as storytelling, its popularity only rose a few years ago.
The rise of fan fiction in the literary world gave people a new way to pursue a writing career. Websites for fan fictions are available. It allows writers to open their works to a larger audience. Here, they are able to interact with other fan fiction writers and get feedback from their work. It even gives them a chance to be noticed by a literary agent.
Examples of Fan Fiction Books: E.L. James is one of the fan fiction writers to succeed in getting their story published. 50 Shades of Grey first appeared online under the title Master of the Universe. The characters were based on Twilight’s Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. The story rose to fame and even caught the attention of Twilight’s author, Stephenie Meyer.
In 2011, James pulled the story from the fan fiction website. She changed the characters’ names and the story’s title. It was published with Writer’s Coffee Shop. After its release, the book gained hype and became a bestseller.
G. Normal Lippert’s book, James Potter and the Hall of Elder’s Crossing, is another published fan fiction based on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. The story centers on Harry’s son, James, whom we met in the last chapter of Harry Potter’s final book.
Geraldine Brook’s March is perhaps one of the most prized fan fictions of this age. In 2006, the novel earned the Pulitzer Prize for fiction of the year. The story was based on the March girls’ father from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
Can Fan Fiction Outsell Traditional Books?: Fan fiction books’ popularity is due to two things - it is based on an existing book and it is first published online. Fans are composed of those who loved the book it was based upon and those who saw the story online and followed its development.
Fan Fiction Characteristics: Another fan fiction books' claim to fame is its characteristics. First, it explores an alternate possibility. Second, it allows the crossover of characters from another book. Third, it answers questions and provides critique by giving a different storyline.
Asking about the rise of fan fiction and if it can outsell traditional books is widely due to copyright. In the US, this genre is considered an alternative form of writing. If a fan fiction outsells the book it was based upon, this is because of the alternate possibility it provided. Fans get excited to see another ending, a different take, and a continuation of the book they loved. With the different and easier means to publish digital books, it also increases the chance of outselling the original. Although this is possible, keep in mind that fan fiction books became popular thanks to the hype created by the book it was based on.
