Figuring Out Fanfiction

On this episode, Lianza interviews digital artist Ice (@illustraice on Instagram) on her fan art storyline work "Hero!" The story, which has gained a rapid following on Instagram, is focused on a future alternate universe of the 2004 Pixar film "The Incredibles", focusing on the future lives of the Parr children. Ice talks about her inspiration for the plot, her choice on a non-linear storytelling, and what the work means to her. Questions? Comments? You can reach Lianza on [email protected], or you can DM the instagram @figuringoutfanfiction. Lianza is happy to be back on the podcast grind, even if it's just briefly. Reach out if you have any episode ideas, questions, or anything at all!

Sometimes, fanfiction gets a cult following, just like a band, a franchise, or a TV show. To such a point it creates its own sub-club of fans. On this episode, Lianza talks with Harry Potter enthusiast Lalitha Pamidigantam of YWCA Columbus about a fanfic that was published in 2018, but making the rounds again on TikTok as it surges again in popularity. Plus, Lalitha speaks on why its love and close following is rooted in the story's portrayal of disabled characters. Questions? Comments? Reach out on [email protected] or @figuringoutfanfiction on Instagram.

On this episode, Judy Fatol, a France-native, speaks on the dual experience of being a fanfiction reader and writer in English and French.  Questions? Comments? Reach out on [email protected] or @figuringoutfanfiction on Instagram.

Lianza and CU Boulder PhD candidate Brianna Dym explore what it's like to become a member of the fanfic community to researching in-depth. Check out Brianna's Google Scholar page: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=kEcMLswAAAAJ&hl=en# Questions? Comments? Reach out on [email protected] or @figuringoutfanfiction on Instagram.

On the season premiere (!) of season 2, Lianza chats with Book Riot contributor Dana Lee on how to officially start the fanfiction reading process, whether for you or someone else. Read Dana's article here: https://bookriot.com/reading-fanfiction/ Questions? Comments? Reach out on [email protected] or @figuringoutfanfiction on Instagram. 

Would you believe ten episodes have passed by already? For this one, Lianza wraps all the pieces together, connects the bigger picture, and tells her own story. A short end to season 1 of this podcast, but worry not: season 2 might come soon. Thank you so much for listening, it means the world.

Wait, so what are some of the biggest tropes in fanfiction, anyway? Well, they're extremely different from fiction. On this episode, (the second to the last!) Lianza brings on three of her grad school friends: Helen, Gwen, and Lindsey to decide which trope is the best of them all, a la March Madness bracket style. Want to see the bracket? Check out the podcast's Instagram on @figuringoutfanfiction. Oh, and here are the websites used to develop the bracket: https://fanlore.org/wiki/List_of_Tropes_in_Fanworks https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FanficTropes

Tumblr used to be the place for all kinds of niches. For Cerinn Park, it was a place that cultivated her love for arts, cartoons, and empathy. On this episode, Cerinn and Lianza talk about how fanfiction crossed over with this platform, and how words become drawings to express fanfiction. Tune in!

The average age of a fanfiction writer is fifteen and a half, according to the book Writers in the Secret Garden. Why is that? And what does that mean?  Dr. Cecilia Aragon (author of Writers in the Secret Garden and her new memoir Flying Free) explains why the number carries major significance to how fanfiction impacts its audience, and potentially, their lives. Dr. Aragon made history as the first Latina on the United States Unlimited Aerobatics Team. She was awarded Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers by Barack Obama in 2009. On this episode, she also shares her story as a scientist, and how fanfiction intersects. Her memoir is now available here: https://www.blackstonepublishing.com/flying-free-cecilia-aragon

Ever wondered how it was like to be a fanfiction written about YOU? Well, YouTuber ordinarydreamer, also known as Nadia, can tell you what it's like. Oh, and a bonus: the mentioned fanfiction includes one of today's favorite celebrities, and features an anime character. You might want to strap yourself in for this one.