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fansplaining.bsky.social
Fansplaining
@fansplaining.bsky.social
1.8K followers 120 following 290 posts
The podcast—and publication!—by, for, and about fandom. Writing on fan culture published once a month, with 250+ eps of the podcast (currently on hiatus) in our back catalog!

fansplaining.com // patreon.com/fansplaining // https://ko-fi.com/fansplaining
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fansplaining.bsky.social
We're putting the finishing touches on our November piece: @mossheadlives.bsky.social on fandom text-based roleplaying and gender exploration! ✨ (Plus: Here's a sneak peak of the gorgeous art we commissioned for the piece by @thebeanbaguette.bsky.social.) Out this coming Wednesday!
Drawing of several ships kissing in various computer windows.
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
In our latest piece, @megfitz89.bsky.social discusses her new indie comic, MARY SUE, and the evolving conversation around the Mary Sues more broadly.

Read the essay or listen to an audio version—and check out a sneak peak of the first issue of the comic: www.fansplaining.com/articles/rec...
Screenshot of text reading: I’m not going to be able to change everyone’s minds on Mary Sues with this book, I know that. Some ideas are solidified as canon, and it’s difficult to convince anyone otherwise. But I don’t write for calcified brains—I write for the next generation of fanfic writers and fan artists and fanvid editors. Mary Sue is a reminder to all creatives that Mary Sues are tools that can be used to explore identity or explore themes, like any other form of literature. They deserve to be met in the ideological space with respect, equal to alliteration, allusions, and meta narrative.
November 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
“I found writing Mary Sues a way to give me the courage I needed to tell a story, to explore themes I was working through, in the safe space of a fictional world I loved.”

@megfitz89.bsky.social writes about her new comic, MARY SUE, “a love letter to fandom”: www.fansplaining.com/articles/rec...
Three panels from Mary Sue. On the left, Cassie sits on her bed in her fandomly decorated room, writing in a notebook. In the middle, a closeup of Sherlock with excerpts from Cassie’s fic: “Her words were fire in Sherlock’s soul, spurring him on. Sherlock didn’t come all this way for Markus to lose his soul. He didn’t travel through time and space to find the one man who had ever seen him for who he truly was.” On the end, Markus and Sherlock face to face. Caption says, “He stepped into Markus’s space. The anger burning.” Sherlock says to him, “if you don’t find your way back to the good in your soul…then I will return to the past….and forget all about you.”
October 30, 2025 at 3:07 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
We're putting the finishing touches on our October piece, an essay from @megfitz89.bsky.social (who's written for DC Comics, Supernatural, and many other fan-favorite properties) about her new indie comic, Mary Sue, which is—you guessed it—about a fic writer! It'll be out on Wednesday! ✨
Two panels from the comic "Mary Sue." In one, Cassie (long brown hair, glasses, black "Riverview" t-shirt) sits on a couch, typing on a laptop, with two speech bubbles: "They not internet friends. They're more than that." and "They're my fandom friends." In the second panel, Cassie stands in white space with three attached speech bubbles: "My fandom friends listen to me." "They support me." and "They like me."
October 27, 2025 at 6:56 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
Your weekend read! 💓 @bookshop.bsky.social digs into the complicated intersections between the skyrocketing Kpop Demon Hunters fandom vs the (real) K-pop industry & fans.

As always, if you prefer listening, we've got a full audio version along with the text! www.fansplaining.com/articles/kpo...
Image of the Huntr/x trio from Kpop Demon Hunters at a fan event holding up pens, a stack of books for signing in front of them.
September 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
We're putting the finishing touches on our September piece, which is out tomorrow from (now free agent!!! hire them!!!) @bookshop.bsky.social on....you guessed it: K-Pop Demon Hunters!* And its intersections (or lack thereof) with K-pop fandom itself.
Image of mythical creatures Derpy and Sussie (blue tiger and hat-wearing bird) from K-pop Demon Hunters.
September 23, 2025 at 3:58 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
Just putting the finishing touches on our August piece, which will be out tomorrow: a beautiful essay from @tessagratton.bsky.social about the complicated ways they've navigated the fan-pro divide. Here's a sneak preview:
Photograph of a young Tessa dressed as Wicket the Ewok
August 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
On our SDCC panel, @daphneolive.bsky.social—who went from fandom podcasting to working on TV—talked about the balance the Percy Jackson writers have to strike adapting books that have been so fundamental to younger readers. ✨

Watch or read a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/articles/sdc...
Screenshot of text reading: I think it is partly maybe because I’m the person who is most recently from a fandom background, but also, maybe it’s because it’s children’s books, not that just children read [Percy Jackson]...it’s a story that’s so essential to some peoples’ sense of self. So I just feel like in some ways, we’re preserving something that is bigger than anyone involved in it... Yes, we have to tell a good story. Obviously this is an adaptation. Obviously we have to adapt for television—books and television are different. All of those things, but... it’s a sacred text for a lot of people.
August 11, 2025 at 7:26 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
On our recent SDCC panel, @megfitz89.bsky.social talked about how growing up in fandom spaces (ask her about writing "Arwen’s twin sister" 😉) helped her build the collaborative skills she uses working comics, TV, and more.

Watch the panel or read a transcript: www.fansplaining.com/articles/sdc...
Screenshot of text reading: [Fandom roleplaying] does give you a lot of tips and tricks to be collaborative...on how to engage with people that come from different life experiences with you, and come from different parts of the planet, maybe different cultures from you. And having to learn how to communicate in a really positive manner, in a really understanding manner? That’s being in a room. That’s working with editors. That was such a useful skill set that I’m always very encouraging of other people to engage with in fandom culture, is there are so many people who, what brings you together is this love of something. That’s so powerful!
August 8, 2025 at 5:05 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
On our SDCC panel this year, longtime friend of the podcast @okbjgm.bsky.social diagnosed his own generation of screenwriters with a very particular kind of pop-cultural malaise. 😅

Watch the whole panel or read a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/articles/sdc...
Screenshot of text reading: Generation X, a lot of men like me—and I’m fully complicit in this—I think we have not outgrown our fandom in a healthy manner. And I think the biggest problem—look, I’ve spent 30 years writing other men’s daddy issues, OK? I’ve also spent 30 years with a generation of writers, and there’s a lot of them who suffer from the disease that their idea of creativity is, we’re just gonna rewrite Star Wars all the time and hope we get called a genius for it. And at a certain point, Generation X really has had a rough time kind of coming of age from those—we are a generation that has these humongous pop-cultural touchstones. ... We were present at the birth of modern-day scripture. But that doesn’t mean that has to be your identity, you know? And I think that’s one of the biggest issues in terms of being a fan and being a creator right now is getting over it.
August 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
When an audience member asked a question about fanfic bleeding into mainstream publishing during our SDCC panel, @lincodega.com didn't mince words about the Dramione pull-to-publish situation.

Watch the panel or read a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/articles/sdc...
Screenshot of text reading: I have no problem with people taking their fanfic and scraping it and putting it out for traditional publishing. I have a huge issue with using Harry Potter as a marketing tool, especially considering the violent transphobic shit that J. K. Rowling has pulled. It is absolutely unconscionable that traditional publishing is using Dramione as a marketing tool. That is deeply disturbing to me, and also might invite more cultural cachet to be given to a woman who is responsible for legislation that kills people.
August 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
"They try to force books to fit wedges and tags that they do not fit. And it does a disservice to those authors."

On our recent SDCC panel, @brentclambert.bsky.social discussed publishers using "AO3-style tags" in marketing.

Watch or read a full transcript: www.fansplaining.com/articles/sdc...
Screenshot of text reading: They try to force books to fit wedges and tags that they do not fit. And it does a disservice to those authors ... They’re like, “Oh, well we have to market it. Oh, we have to get it out there.” And then the book gets out there, and people read it with this expectation, because that’s how it was marketed to them, and then they read the book and it’s not what they thought they were getting—and then the backlash isn’t on the marketing team, it’s the author that has to pay for it ... And that’s not fanfic writers’ fault at all—that’s the industry’s fault for not understanding what they’re dealing with.
August 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
"Who’s deciding what matters? Who’s deciding what stories are being told? And who’s deciding where the money comes in?"

On our SDCC panel, @tessagratton.bsky.social talked about writing other peoples' characters for fun vs for $$.

Watch or read a transcript: www.fansplaining.com/articles/sdc...
Screenshot of text reading: The biggest difference is where the power comes from. In fanfiction, the power is pretty much shared in the community. The writers and the readers and the conversations that people are having. … What you just really want to write about, all your little ideas about what your blorbo’s doing, and your best friend in the fandom’s kinks that you really just want to give them a present. But then when you’re writing for Star Wars, the power comes from the owner of the IP and the publisher. … Who’s deciding what matters? Who’s deciding what stories are being told? And who’s deciding where the money comes in?
August 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
and in once instance, more than a murmur 😅
screenshot of text reading: I also recently listened to a podcast that talked about the Warrior Cats fandom that sounds very similar— Sadie Witkowski [our audio/video recorder]: I know that podcast.
August 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
Our wonderful panelists today at SDCC ✨ @megfitz89.bsky.social, @tessagratton.bsky.social, @lincodega.com, @brentclambert.bsky.social, @okbjgm.bsky.social, & @daphneolive.bsky.social!
Photograph of Meghan, Tessa, Elizabeth, Lin, Brent, Javi, and Daphne
July 26, 2025 at 9:24 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
Good morning SDCC—today's the day! 😎 Come to the SD Central Library at noon to see @daphneolive.bsky.social, @tessagratton.bsky.social, @lincodega.com, @brentclambert.bsky.social, @megfitz89.bsky.social, & @okbjgm.bsky.social talk about fandom creativity, fan to pro transitions, and much more!
Panel flier done in an old-school composition notebook style. White fan logo and colorful glitter stickers at the top. The title in a pink bubble in the center: Fansplaining @ SDCC 2025 // The Fandom Advantage: How Fan Creativity Fuels Pro Entertainment Careers. One column with the panel info: Saturday July 26, 2025 // 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT // Neil Morgan Auditorium San Diego Central Library. One column with the list of panelists: Daphne Olive, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Lin Codega, Tessa Gratton, Meghan Fitzmartin, Brent Lambert, Moderator: Elizabeth Minkel.
July 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
🌴 Fansplaining is coming back to SDCC this year! 🌴

"The Fandom Advantage: How Fan Creativity Fuels Pro Entertainment Careers," featuring @daphneolive.bsky.social, @okbjgm.bsky.social, @lincodega.com, @tessagratton.bsky.social, @megfitz89.bsky.social, and @brentclambert.bsky.social!
Panel flier done in an old-school composition notebook style. White fan logo and colorful glitter stickers at the top. The title in a pink bubble in the center: Fansplaining @ SDCC 2025 // The Fandom Advantage: How Fan Creativity Fuels Pro Entertainment Careers. One column with the panel info: Saturday July 26, 2025 // 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT // Neil Morgan Auditorium San Diego Central Library. One column with the list of panelists: Daphne Olive, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Lin Codega, Tessa Gratton, Meghan Fitzmartin, Brent Lambert, Moderator: Elizabeth Minkel.
July 16, 2025 at 4:13 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
In our June article, @jaymcastello.bsky.social talks to the Starsky & Hutch fans who've spent decades preserving S&H fanworks—and trying to model their fandom friendships after the relationship on the show.

💞 Read the piece or listen to an audio version! 💞 www.fansplaining.com/articles/how...
Screenshot of text reading: Flamingo only saw one episode of Starsky & Hutch during its original run on TV in the 1970s. “I remember seeing the episode ‘Gillian’ with a friend of mine,” she says. In it, the titular pair of detectives hug, and Starsky tells Hutch, “You're the best friend I got in the whole world.” Flamingo and her friend looked at each other. “Our friendship was new, and we burst into tears,” she says. “We’re still friends today.” It was that onscreen friendship that she credits with sustaining a fandom that’s now been running for 50 years. “You just don’t see that level of closeness [in most media],” she says. “And don’t we all long for that? Isn’t that a human need?” 
June 30, 2025 at 5:53 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
“I wanted to be that friend. I wanted to have that kind of friendship.”

In our latest article, @jaymcastello.bsky.social talks to the admins of the Starsky & Hutch Fiction Archive about their efforts preserving fanworks—and fandom friendships.

Read or listen: www.fansplaining.com/articles/how...
Black and white photo of David Soul (Hutch) and Paul Michael Glaser(Starsky) sitting on a pair of cars.
June 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
Putting the finishing touches on our June piece (by the brilliant @jaymcastello.bsky.social) and here's a little hint. 😘 It'll be out tomorrow morning!
Photograph of David Soul (Hutch) and Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky) on a beach, wearing shirts that say "Starsky and Hutch" on the front and "Husky and Starch" on the back. Glasser faces the camera, one arm on Soul's shoulder, the other on his hip. Soul faces away, hand on Glasser's shoulder.
June 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
Our May piece comes out tomorrow, and it's a fascinating one! Attention: K-pop fans! Art fans! Collecting fans! Transformative work fans! There's something for everyone. 😄
Photograph of a K-pop photo card decorating workshop featuring a person holding a card.
May 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
Get ready—our April piece is out tomorrow! 🎉 @sachajudd.com goes *deep* on RPF, tracing its history in transformative fandom, its muddy intersections with celebrity fandom and conspiracy theorists, and much, much more.
Photograph of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart photographed at an airport in France holding hands, with three other people flanking them and an airplane in the background. (from 2009).
April 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
In our latest article, @amandaraeprescott.bsky.social writes about racist blowback to inclusive casting among period drama fans, from early racebending in BBC/PBS productions to Bridgerton's massive global fandom today. Read or listen to an audio version: www.fansplaining.com/articles/bri...
Screenshot of text reading: All of the money spent on positive advertising is useless if the first thing BIPOC audiences see online is racist viewers complaining about “woke casting.” The goal of racists is to turn audiences away from Bridgerton and other diverse period dramas. The upfront costs in training and hiring moderators, consultants, and social media experts is in the end cheaper than losing revenue because potential viewers decided to watch a competing show—or because fans of color didn’t feel like there was a space for them, online or onscreen.
April 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
In our latest article, @gavia.bsky.social digs into the new Captain America movie, Brave New World, and the way its failures reflect problems in many big franchises today—all of the lore, but none of the emotional continuity. Read or listen to an audio version: www.fansplaining.com/articles/sam...
Screenshot of text reading: Basically, the ideal audience here is a diehard Marvel fan who remembers the origin story of a tertiary character in The Incredible Hulk, but doesn’t care that Sam Wilson has inconsistent motives. We’re expected to be invested in lore without thinking too deeply about themes and emotions, which strikes me as a wild misunderstanding of why people fell in love with the MCU in the first place.
March 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
fansplaining.bsky.social
In our latest article, @scenicrailway.bsky.social digs into the Slash Wars—a conflict involving Blake's 7 actors and fans in the late 80s/early 90s—whose central questions remain deeply relevant to fandom today. Read the piece or listen to an audio version: www.fansplaining.com/articles/the...
Screenshot of text reading: Actors and other creatives should be paid for their work, including public-facing activities like promotion. But for many, fandom is a space outside of “work”; the labor you put in is for social capital, personal enrichment, or both. If you are paid for your labor, are you still a fan? Or have you crossed over to the industry side? The social acceptability rules can vary by type of art, modes of distribution, or the specific nature of a fandom itself. The necessity of navigating the web of social politics is one of the reasons fans often don’t like intrusion from show creatives—they can feel like bulldozers. The Blake’s 7 conflict highlights the incongruity between fans and pros, partly because the shift in the actors’ attitudes felt like a betrayal. They were behaving like fans before, so why do we have to treat them like actors now?
January 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM