The design of printed fan fiction

Jacobs, Naomi and Lowe, JSA (2023) The design of printed fan fiction. Transformative Works and Cultures, 44. ISSN 1941-2258 (In Press)

Abstract

Fan binding is a design process through which physical, printed copies of fan fiction works are created. These include both unique hand-bound objects for the designer’s own affective, aesthetic pleasure, and copyedit and design work mimicking traditional publishing norms, but for underground distribution. Fan binding suggests durability and preservation, and printed objects can be transformative works in themselves: designed, typeset, and perhaps featuring artwork, maps or other specifically created front/back matter and illustrations. There are many design decisions involved in curating fan works in a physical form, and choices that fans must make. Readers of these born-digital works find themselves craving the tangible, haptic properties of books, as well as the ‘realness’ that a printed book represents. Fan binding is a design process through which physical, printed copies of fan fiction works are created. These include both unique hand-bound objects for the designer’s own affective, aesthetic pleasure and copyedit and design work mimicking traditional publishing norms but for underground distribution. Fan binding suggests durability and preservation, and printed objects can be transformative works in themselves: designed, typeset, and perhaps featuring artwork, maps, or other specifically created front/back matter and illustrations. There are many design decisions involved in curating fan works in a physical form and choices that fans must make. Readers of these born-digital works find themselves craving the tangible, haptic properties of books, as well as the realness that a printed book represents. This phenomenon is examined here through a case study of fan binding practice surrounding the fan fiction work Down to Agincourt, which includes survey and interviews of Down to Agincourt fans and investigates fan binding conventions and preferences, in order to learn how and why fans discursively practice this highly affective art form. Results show that that complex interacting factors and affordances of both print and digital texts influence fan responses and desires.