Fanfiction: Queer Narratives and Queer Communities
We will reflect on the different styles or writing, the shows that have meant the most to queer communities and how the act of reclaiming narratives in queer formats offered representation before there was any on TV.
Who is this course for?
Anyone interested in fanfiction or queer writing- this might be people who used to write and no longer do, or people who have heard about the idea of fanfiction but never really understood it. Or, people active in fandom/fanfiction interested in the broader implications and conversations around it.
What can I expect?
The first half of the workshop will be a history of fanfiction- an overview of the terminology, how early fanfiction was written/shared etc. We will then do some deep dives into examples around specific fandoms before moving into a broader discussion of where fanfiction sits in queer culture and literature. Finally, we will discuss fic, its impact on lives, reading and writing, and what it might mean individually and collectively.
Joining via Zoom
This course or event will be held via Zoom. You need a computer/laptop or mobile phone to access the Zoom website, and a reliable internet connection. For further information on how to join a Zoom meeting, you can watch the joining video here.
You will need a computer or other device to connect with Zoom and a notebook/paper and pen/pencil, or digital equivalent.
Need to Know
You will learn
- What is fic and why write it?
- Using fanfiction to ‘fix’ queer narratives- from keeping queer characters alive to solving queerbaiting
- Fan-creator relationships and fanfiction (the good and bad)
- Fetishisation of queer characters in fic and other problematic tropes
- Queer communities and fanfiction
Meet the Tutor
Dr Emily Garside
Emily Garside is a writer and professional nerd based in Cardiff. She has a PhD in theatrical responses to the AIDS crisis and is a leading expert on LGBTQ+ theatre. Emily regularly writes for journals such as The Queer Review, American Theatre, and Wales Art Review. She published her first non-fiction book ‘Love That Journey For Me: The Queer Revolution of Schitt's Creek’ in 2021 with 404ink. This was followed by ‘Angels in America at the British National Theatre’ in 2022 (McFarland). While 2023 sees ‘Seasons of Love, why Rent Matters’ (Applause), ‘Schitt’s Creek and the Rise of Queer TV’ (Applause), and ‘From Queer as Folk to It’s A Sin; Russell T Davies and Queer TV’ (Calon Books). She is also a journalist, a regular contributor for The Queer Review and has written for American Theatre, Slate, BBC, and The Stage. She also uses her research and lived experience to tell queer stories through fiction, having had several plays performed in London and nationally.
Dates and Times
Fanfiction: Queer Narratives and Queer Communities
, 7:59 - 9:59
This course will take place online.
