I have a Ph.D. in English Lit. and I'm fascinated by fan fiction. I like the community of authors, editors, and critics all supporting one another that you find in the world of fanfic. The stories themselves are excitingin their theme and variation, breaking of taboos, and attempts to be orthodox (canon) or rebelious (fixing canon). Sometimes they challenge how a story is defined-- what is an AU really? It's inspired by canon, but can radically differ from it. In what sense is the new story related to the original?

Someday I'll write a paper on fan fiction, but for now, I'm trying to just be supportive to all the great authors that contribute their work for our enjoyment by writing lengthy reviews.