Can't get enough of your favorite characters? Here are the top five best free fan fiction websites.

Top 5 best free fan fiction websites

Are you feeling nostalgic about a particular game, movie, anime, TV show, or web series? If yes, you’re not alone.

Many people usually keep wanting more and more from their favorite characters long after the show has ended.

Fanfiction is the perfect way to relive the story, explore new twists and turns, or even create a new, more exciting plot. It allows you to get more from the characters you already know or love. You could even get a mashup of two different original works.

This article lists 5 of the best websites where you can get your fill of fan fiction.

Understanding fanfiction

What is fanfiction?

Fanfiction is a form of creative writing that takes inspiration from existing works of fiction - it's a way for fans to continue engaging with their favorite characters, settings, and stories beyond what the original author wrote. While the original work provides the foundation, fanfiction authors build on it in unique and imaginative ways. The creativity displayed in fanfiction is truly remarkable, with writers crafting new narratives, exploring alternative storylines, and even inventing new characters to interact with the beloved ones.

For many fans, fanfiction is a way to explore their own creativity and imagination while also connecting with others who share their love of a particular story or universe. It allows fans to delve deeper into the world of their favorite characters, to imagine what might have happened next, or to explore alternate possibilities that the original work didn't explore. This sense of community is at the heart of fanfiction, where writers and readers alike come together to celebrate their shared passion for storytelling.

The history of fanfiction

The concept of fanfiction can be traced all the way back to ancient times, where fans of mythology and legends would retell and revise popular stories. This tradition of building upon existing tales has persisted throughout history, shaping the way stories are passed down from one generation to the next. However, it wasn't until the rise of science fiction and fantasy literature in the 20th century that fanfiction really took off.

In modern times, one of the earliest examples of fanfiction can be found in the Sherlock Holmes fandom, where fans began writing their own stories featuring the famous detective and his sidekick, Dr. Watson. These captivating "pastiches" allowed fans to explore new cases and adventures that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had never written about. This tradition of expanding upon the original creator's work has become a cornerstone of fanfiction culture.

Since then, fanfiction has grown into a massive and diverse community, encompassing everything from Harry Potter to Star Wars to Marvel comics. New York, with its vibrant and diverse population, has become a hub for fanfiction enthusiasts, hosting conventions and meet-ups where writers and readers can come together to celebrate their shared love for the craft. It is truly a testament to the power of fandom and the impact of fanfiction on popular culture.

Types of fanfiction

There are countless types of fanfiction out there, each catering to different tastes and interests. From short one-shots to epic multi-chaptered sagas, fanfiction offers something for everyone. Let's explore some of the most common types:

Canon-compliant fanfiction: These stories stick to the established canon of the original work, faithfully following the events and characterizations as set by the original creator. They often delve into the backstory of secondary characters or explore events only briefly mentioned in the main narrative. By expanding upon the original work, these stories provide readers with a deeper understanding of the existing storylines.

Alternate universe (AU) fanfiction: These stories transport characters from the original work into different universes or timelines, exploring "what-if" scenarios and imagining how the story might have unfolded under different circumstances. In these alternate realities, familiar characters can take on new roles and face unexpected challenges. The possibilities are limitless, and the creativity displayed in AU fanfiction is truly awe-inspiring.

Crossover fanfiction: Imagine a world where characters from different stories coexist and interact. That's precisely what crossover fanfiction offers. These stories bring together characters and settings from multiple fictional universes, weaving them into a single narrative. It's an opportunity for fans to see their favorite characters from different fandoms team up, clash, or even fall in love. The resulting stories can be filled with thrilling adventures, unexpected alliances, and delightful surprises.

Slash fanfiction: In the realm of slash fanfiction, romantic and sexual relationships between same-sex characters take center stage. These stories, often written by members of the LGBTQ+ community, provide a platform for exploring diverse identities and experiences. They offer a space for fans to envision relationships that may not be explored in the original work. The popularity of slash fanfiction has given rise to countless remarkable stories that celebrate love and connection.

Smut and Drabble: Fanfiction is a space where writers can freely express themselves, exploring various themes and genres. Smut, a term commonly used in fanfiction circles, refers to stories that focus on explicit sexual content. It caters to readers who enjoy exploring the intimate relationships between characters. A good example is the Fifty Shades of Grey. On the other hand, drabbles are short, self-contained stories typically consisting of only a few hundred words. These bite-sized narratives capture a singular moment, often providing glimpses into the emotions and dynamics between characters.

Submissions and the fanfiction community

The fanfiction community thrives on the act of sharing and submitting stories. Countless websites and forums serve as platforms for writers to showcase their work, receive feedback, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Whether it's through dedicated fanfiction websites or social media groups, writers can share their stories, exchange ideas, and receive support from a passionate audience.

The act of submitting a fanfiction piece to the community is an exciting endeavor. It allows authors to contribute their unique perspective to the fandom and receive recognition for their creative efforts. Every submission represents a labor of love, a testament to the dedication and passion fans have for their favorite stories and characters.

In conclusion, fanfiction has evolved into a vibrant and dynamic community where fans can explore the depths of their creativity and connect with others who share their love for a particular story or universe. From its ancient roots to its modern-day iterations, fanfiction continues to captivate readers and writers alike. Through one-shots, epic sagas, and everything in between, fanfiction authors breathe new life into beloved characters and narratives, ensuring that the magic and imagination of the original works continue to inspire generations to come.

The best free fan fiction websites

Archive of Our Own

Archive of Our Own (also known as AO3) is a high-quality archive of different types of fanfiction. The website hosts more than 10 million fanfiction stories based on movies, video games, manga, cartoons, celebrities, and much more.

AO3 has a simple and well-organized user interface that allows you to search for your favorite fandoms based on pre-specified categories. You can even use tags or filters to narrow down your search and get more relevant results.

The website also allows users to upload their own fanfiction works and even track their story’s readership traffic. This way, you can amass followers just like on social media.

You also get the chance to participate in quizzes or the creation of new fanworks.

To sign up, you’re required to provide an email address via which you get notified about your fanfiction, favorite works, or new fanfic stories that may interest you.

Wattpad

Wattpad is one of the best fanfiction websites when it comes to user engagement. With more than 90 million readers, it’s easy to find users with similar interests. You can leave comments or use emojis to express your emotions.

Wattpad is home to more than 5 million fanworks and 300,000 fanfiction writers, so there are plenty of exciting stories to read. However, the writing quality is slightly lower than on AO3. Wattpad readers tend to ignore the technical quality of the writing. The focus is on the creator’s story-telling skills.

Although you’re required to provide an email address when you sign up, you’re unlikely to be inundated with messages. Instead, everything, including notifications, happens within your Wattpad account.

FanFiction.net

Launched back in 1998, Fanfiction.net is the oldest fanfic website.

Over the years, thousands of fanfiction readers have thronged the website to unleash their imagination with stories organized into ten categories. These are anime/manga, games, books, cartoons, movies, comics, plays/musicals, crossover, miscellaneous, and TV shows.

If you want to sharpen or showcase your writing skills, you can create your own original stories or give your opinion on other people’s works. A simple interface means you can move around easily, even if you’re a new user.

Tumblr

Tumblr is a good fanfiction website home to thousands of stills, opinions, quotes, short stories, and fan art.

If you’ve been writing fanfiction stories, Tumblr allows you to create a blog to share them with other users. Whether it’s a continuation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or a Star Wars spinoff, you’ll be able to attract readers and establish a following. You can also create your own story from scratch.

One of the platform’s standout features is a detailed search system that allows you to look for all the fanfic works related to a book, TV show, or video game – even if all you remember is a quote by your favorite character.

Tumblr doesn’t have a fanfiction archive as vast as AO3 or Wattpad, but there’s enough content to keep you engaged for a long time. It’s great for short-form work and storyboarding.

Quotev

Quotev is a diverse content creation platform where you can publish your own stories, attempt quizzes, or read quality fanfiction stories written by other users. It’s one of the best fanfiction sites for books, novels, and poems.

Some of the most popular reads are based on high-quality productions such as Naruto, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones.

The platform enjoys a wide readership thanks to its easy-to-navigate user interface and a great chat system.

Honorable mentions

Other popular fanfiction websites include the following:

• DeviantArt
• Fictionpress
• Harry Potter fanfiction
• Asianfanfics
• Commaful

The role of fandoms

A fandom is a community of fans who share a common love for a particular work of fiction. These communities, such as the Harry Potter fandom or the Star Trek fandom, provide a sense of belonging and camaraderie for individuals with shared interests. They offer platforms for fans to express themselves creatively and engage with others who are equally passionate about the source material.

Within fandoms, fans often contribute to the community through various creative outlets. Some fans express their devotion through cosplay, meticulously recreating the iconic robes of Hogwarts or the uniforms of Star Trek officers. Others channel their creativity into fan art, producing stunning illustrations and paintings that bring beloved characters to life. And of course, fanfiction writers play a crucial role, expanding the narrative landscapes and crafting original stories that resonate with fellow fans.

Collaborations and networking

Fanfiction communities provide opportunities for collaboration and networking among fanfic writers. Through collaboration, authors can bounce ideas off one another, offer feedback and constructive criticism, and even co-write stories. Many authors rely on beta readers, trusted individuals who review and provide feedback on their works-in-progress, ensuring that the story is coherent and engaging for readers.

Furthermore, the fanfiction community fosters connections that extend beyond the realm of fanfiction itself. Some fanfic writers have leveraged their networks to launch podcasts where they discuss and analyze various aspects of fanfiction culture, including popular tropes and the creative process. These podcasts often feature interviews with fanfic writers and discussions about the impact of fanfiction on popular culture.

In addition to creative collaborations, networking within the fanfiction community can lead to exciting opportunities for fans. Some authors have been scouted by publishers or producers who recognized their talent through their fanfiction work. These authors have then gone on to publish original works, leveraging the skills and creativity they honed within the fanfiction community.

Supporting and preserving fanfiction

The importance of fanfiction as an art form and a means of creative expression has led to the formation of organizations dedicated to supporting and preserving fanworks. One notable example is the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), a non-profit organization that promotes and protects fanworks, including fanfiction.

The OTW provides a platform for fanfiction writers to share their work and connect with a wide audience. It hosts websites and archives where fans can upload and access fanfiction stories across various genres and fandoms. Additionally, the OTW actively advocates for the legal rights of fan creators, ensuring that their transformative works are protected.

Beyond online platforms, physical fanzines have long been a staple of fanfiction communities. These self-published magazines contain fanfiction stories, fan art, and other creative works. Zines offer a tangible and cherished way for fans to share their creations and immerse themselves in the fanfiction culture.

Conclusion

Fanfiction is a rich and diverse creative outlet that allows fans to extend their favorite stories, explore new possibilities, and build connections within passionate communities. From Draco Malfoy's untold adventures at Hogwarts to epic crossover encounters between Star Trek and Twilight, fanfic writers continue to craft imaginative tales that captivate audiences. Whether through original characters, podcast discussions, or collaborations, the fanfiction community thrives on the transformative power of storytelling and the shared love for beloved source material. So, dive into the vast world of fanfiction, discover new narratives, and join the global community of fan creators and readers. The possibilities are limitless, and the adventure awaits.

Listen to your favorite fan fiction with Speechify

With millions of fanfic stories available across the internet, it’s not easy to read as many as you would want.

Enter Speechify – a text to speech (TTS) tool that allows you to listen to any text, including your favorite fanfiction.

The app uses speech synthesis to convert any piece of writing into an audio file. For example, using the Chrome browser extension, you can convert any story into audio without leaving the browser. Fanfiction that doesn’t exist in an audio format can be converted into spoken words using Speechify’s sophisticated AI technology.

You can also use the app to read your own work aloud. This can help you catch mistakes and improve sentence structure and flow.

Perhaps most importantly, Speechify is compatible with all modern platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon fire. This means you can enjoy your favorite fan works on any of your devices.

Why wait? Get started with Speechify today to make the most of the millions of exciting fanfic stories available across the internet.

FAQs

What is the best fanfic ever written?

Due to the vast number of fragmented fanfic communities, it would be disingenuous to name one particular piece as the best, as it will be largely based on reader preferences.

Is AO3 or fanfiction.net better?

AO3 has a more extensive fanfic library and a more detailed search system to help you find your favorite stories fast.

What is the longest fanfic ever?

At 4.9 million words, “At the Edge of Lasg’len” is the longest fanfic ever.

What are some popular fanfiction genres?

Popular genres include angst, crossover, fluff, Fix-it fic, and darkfic.

What is the most popular fan fiction?

The book series that has received the most (and high-quality) fan fiction is Harry Potter by J.K Rowling.