There’s many of us who had a Wattpad or Archive of our Own (AO3) phase, whether we want to admit to it or not. Back in my primary and secondary school days, I distinctly remember avidly reading any new fanfics in favour of the reading I had to do for school. Y/N, with her casual messy bun and Pinterest-perfect makeup, goes downstairs after enduring bullying from her siblings, to discover she’s been sold to One Direction. Phrases like ‘his hazel orbs’ entered my vocabulary, and these communities became places where teenagers obsessed with fandoms could write their hearts out.
Yes, we were cringe, but we were free. (I say, knowing I would definitely make fun of secondary school me for all the Fall Out Boy fanfiction I wrote)
What sparked this, though, was a recent dive back into AO3. I wholeheartedly expected to wince and recoil at terrible grammar, ridiculous premises, and cliché upon cliché. But what I found instead were incredibly well-researched literary works that punched me in the gut, maybe more so than most books I’ve read in the last few years.
These unpaid writers were creating masterpieces that were right under my nose, weaving worlds and building upon the fandoms they loved so dearly. Not a word was wasted, every sentence oozed with passion, and by 10k words I found myself staring in awe and uttering to myself, “this should be made into a book.”
Now, this is not such a foreign idea. Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James actually started out as a Twilight fanfiction, titled Master of the Universe. The Love Hypothesis, a book that blew up on TikTok, was originally a Star Wars AU (alternate universe) work on AO3 named Head Over Feet. After by Anna Todd was a One Direction fanfic, and the main love interest is heavily based on Harry Styles. Yep, the bestseller book series turned movie saga was originally published on Wattpad by ‘imaginator1D’.
On one hand, finding a really good piece can take a bit of time. A lot of stuff there is clearly written by teenagers constantly repeating themselves, or include questionable premises and sentences that are paragraphs long. Most published fanfictions also would have to change the names and universe that the story is set in, since copyright issues would definitely rise if companies like Marvel had their fanbase profiting off of their creations. Fanfiction also often gets a bad rep for only being NSFW content, and honestly, that’s only half true. While some works are suitable for all audiences, the fact that Wattpad and AO3 are a ‘Wild West’ where creators can write whatever they want, means that ultimately a lot of fanfiction is erotic.
On the other side of the argument, some fanfiction gems are on par with most books you’ll see in a shop. I’ll reference one that I was recommended recently, a Marvel Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes fanfiction called ‘Not Easily Conquered’. You might turn your nose up at that premise, but walk with me here.
At its base, it’s a heartbreaking story of yearning for the one you love the most, and always missing the mark. Unspoken words, letters that were never sent, declarations that came far too late. But the writers also did their research to build this world, making it so much more realistic and adding these details that didn’t have to be there. They weave these fictional events into things that happened in real life. World War 2 and Pearl Harbour. The Cold War. The beginnings of the LGBTQ+ movement in the 1960s. Retold with accuracy and clarity, with the imagination of how these characters might percieve these events.
The writing is not only factual and captivating but also incredibly visceral and beautiful. Every word pulses with raw emotion, making it impossible to look away. I could read a million pages and still come back to feel it all over again. It captures the depth of powerful love in a way I’ve never experienced before. The emotions are so vividly expressed that I found myself overwhelmed, tears streaming as I read. It’s rare to find something that resonates so deeply, and this piece does just that — a stunning portrayal of love’s intensity and beauty.
Here’s a quote from a critical point in the story, and one that had me thinking, ‘this is still a fanfiction?!’
“I won’t be in the history books; that’s for you. But I loved you first. As long as they get that right, I don’t care what they say.”
Fanfiction often carries an unfair stigma, with some dismissing it due to the few writers who may give these communities a bad reputation. But I’ll die on this hill — fanfiction holds incredible value and deserves more recognition. These stories are born from passion, crafted by writers who pour their hearts into every word. It’s a space where creativity knows no bounds, and the love for storytelling fuels innovation in ways that traditional publishing often overlooks.
There’s a vast, untapped reservoir of talent hidden within these online communities — a gold mine of imagination waiting to be explored. Fanfiction offers more than just reimagined worlds and familiar characters; it’s a training ground where writers hone their craft, experimenting with narratives that push boundaries and redefine genres. Many of these stories possess the depth, emotion, and originality worthy of a wider audience.
The world needs passionate storytellers, and fanfiction is proof that they’re already among us. By shedding preconceived notions and embracing these creative spaces, we open ourselves to fresh perspectives and bold ideas. Taking a closer look reveals not just stories, but a thriving culture of writers who deserve to have their voices heard and celebrated.