Fanfiction sites play a crucial role in fostering creative expression and community engagement by providing platforms where fans can explore and expand upon the worlds of their favorite books, movies, TV shows, and games. These sites give writers a space to craft their own narratives, explore "what if" scenarios, and develop new interpretations of beloved characters or plots. Beyond just a place to share stories, these platforms build communities where readers and writers interact, offer feedback, and celebrate their shared passions.
So what are some of the best places to share one's fanfiction? Here is a list of the best fanfiction sites today:
5. FictionPress
This site is owned by the same company as FanFiction.net and offers a similar platform for original writing. However, many fanfiction writers also choose to publish original stories there. Like its sister site, readers on FictionPress can leave reviews on each story, which can help writers in improving their stories and refining their skills. Unlike FanFiction.net, however, FictionPress has fostered a community of writers through its message boards and forums, who can share knowledge and experiences with each other, as well as spreading the latest trends about writing and literature as a whole. All before the advent of chatboxes and Discord.
4. Deadliest Fiction
The wiki that became known as Deadliest Fiction first began as a fanon website inspired by the television show Deadliest Warrior back in 2010. For more than a decade since its inception, the site churned out some of the best self-made online stories about fictional characters and historical individuals. What made the site revolutionary is the fact that it combined fanfiction writing with battleboard debating. Users can create blogs pitting two individuals - either historical or fictional or both - and debate on who will in a fight. The user would then count the votes, determine the winner, and then write a simulated "battle" of how the fight might take place. The wikia became so popular in the 2010s that it spawned websites with a similar premise like Death Battle Fanon Wiki.
3. Wattpad
Wattpad is a versatile platform where both original stories and fanfictions can be published. While it’s not specifically dedicated to fanfiction, it has a large and active community of fanfic writers and readers. Wattpad has a built-in social network, allowing users to comment, vote, and share stories. It also has a nifty and simple user-interface. New stories are accessible to readers at the front page, and a well-designed editor, specifically made for writers, makes writing and publishing easy and efficient. Also, it has a mobile app, one of the first of its kind. Wattpad would later go on to influence other sites like Royal Road and WebNovel - a testament to its appeal.
2. FanFiction.net
One of the oldest and most well-known fanfiction sites, FanFiction.net first came into being during the early days of the internet, back in 1998 no less. And since then, it has become home for various types of writings and stories, and most especially, fanfictions (as its name suggests). It is straightforward, simple and large scale, making it easy to use for even the newest of writers. In this site one can find virtually and nearly every fanfiction from various fandoms, covering anime, TV shows, movies, comics, video games, tabletop games, and literataure. Such was its popularity that it made names out of fanfictioners in mainstream literature, such as E.L. James, Andy Weir, and Tara Gilesbie.
1. Archive of Our Own (AO3)
AO3 is arguably the most popular and expansive fanfiction website in the world. It was created by the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) and is non-commercial, meaning it’s run by fans for fans and does not include ads due to its donation support. Fans can search for stories using detailed tags, which can include characters, relationships, genres, themes, warnings, and more. Users can also filter stories by elements like word count, rating, and completed status. AO3 also supports all genres and writing styles, and it allows users to post stories that range from short drabbles to lengthy epics. And throughout the years, AO3 has continued to evolve and adapt to new technology, making its interface the best there is.
These fanfiction sites contribute to a culture of inclusivity and creativity, offering both aspiring writers and seasoned authors an outlet to hone their craft while connecting with like-minded individuals. Reader or writer, you should give them a try!
Article written and published by Reynaldo Delmonte, PhD.