A multi-fandom fanworks track with panels, workshops, talks, and roundtables.
The fanfic track will include a mix of programme items covering topics of interest to fanfic fans, including tropes and trends in fandom; identity for fanficcers; sexuality; publishing and fanfic; vidding; research; history of fanfic; and writing techniques. We’ll host a fanart and crafts session (suitable for children), and there will be opportunities to party. We will also have access to some slots in a smaller room, to allow for structured and unstructured writing sessions.
We’ll start with a low-key meetup and games session on Thursday evening, run programme throughout Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday, and we’ll be closing out the track on Sunday evening with a blanket fort construction workshop (no knowledge of Community necessary). Please bear this in mind when planning your travel and accommodation. Unfortunately there’s no overnight sleeping in the blanket forts!
Main Programme
All in room 12 unless stated.
Thursday
Welcome To The Fanfiction Track: meet, play, chat, set up, rehearse, party! - 6.45pm - 8.30pm
Welcome to the fanfiction track at Nine Worlds! Our welcome party is a relaxed space where you can meet friends old and new, play games (including Slash and Dixit), marvel at the fanfic playlist - newly updated for 2015! - help with setup, practice blanket fort building, and (judging by previous years) leave lipstick prints on Bucky Barnes, Aragorn, Uhura and our other splendid 2-dimensional guests.
Social, facilitated by Kate, Tanya, and Abigail Brady
Friday
Discussion / Workshop: Working With Characters: discuss characterisation, and be ready to write! - 10.00am - 11.15am
How important is characterization to the overall effectiveness of your story? Come along for a panel discussion followed by a short writing workshop. Topics covered will include getting characters to cooperate, hints on writing characters you find difficult, and how to build original characters.
Panel and workshop with Irisbleufic and Tanya
Femslash And Beyond: relationships between women and fanfiction - 11.45am - 1.00pm
A panel of femslash writers and readers get stuck into the big questions: what makes some pairings more popular than others, and how does their popularity affect the kinds of fanworks we create about them? What do we want from our femslash, and what do we love about it? And what other kinds of stories are we telling about relationships between women?
Cleo, Llin, Selenay, Lulu, Emily January, Writcraft
Academics Explore Fanart And Fanfiic: fanart and artistic appreciation; fanfic as cultural activism - 1.30pm - 2.45pm
Karina Dar Juan discusses fan art as an influence on the appreciation of artistic movements, and Milena Popova talks about fanfiction as a medium for the exploration of sexual consent and its absence.
Talks by Karina Dar Juan, Milena Popova
Is Fandom a Public Space? Exploring what happens when the fanworks bubble bursts - 3.15pm - 4.30pm
Whether it's university students suggesting their classes leave critical feedback on fanfic, people linking fanfic on GoodReads, or Graham Norton making fun of fanart on TV, fandom has an interesting, and often contentious, relationship with what we consider the 'outside world.' Is there a code of ethics when fandom engages with the general public, and vice-versa? Should there be?
Panel with Erin Claiborne, Gavia Baker-Whitelaw, Lizzy Campbell, Nina Friday
The Wide World of AUs: the endless possibilities of Alternate Universe fanfic - 5.00pm - 6.15pm
There are no limits with AUs. We delve into the ways that different fandoms treat Alternate Universes.
Emily January, Selenay, Crystal, Nina, Emma (signe_chan)
Nine AUs (Alternate Universes): nine short talks on our favourite fanfic feature - 6.45pm - 8.00pm
This is our starter for Nine (worlds): nine fast-paced solo presentations in which our volunteers expound upon some aspect of AUs: a favourite trope (coffee shops, high schools, noir crime), or a favourite fic, or an exploration of something that AUs do well (genderswap, de-ageing), or ... something that we haven't yet thought of! Sessions will be timed by Bruce, the dancing green kitchen timer robot.
Talks by Kate, Nat (causingfevers), Zalia Chimera, Crystal, Selenay, Nina, Writcraft, Tlanti, Tanya, Emma (signe_chan)
OMG WTF: RPF?! Our panel explores real person fiction - 8.30pm - 9.45pm
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? We delve into the past and present of real person fiction.
Emily January, Viktoriya, Pensnest, Melissa
Fanvid Showing: Amy returns with a roundup of the year’s fanvids - 10.15pm - late
After last year's successful vid roundup, our video jockey such_heights returns, showing off some of the best vids of the last twelve months as well as looking at vids that push the envelope and redefine the artform.
Hosted by Amy (such_heights)
Saturday
What Makes A Fandom? Is this a fandom, or a text I like? - 9.00am - 9.45am
Come and help us explore the important question of why we make certain texts into fanworks fandoms, while other texts we like remain strictly out of bounds. Do bring your own explanations to put to the panel.
Kate, Pip Janssen, S J Groenewegen, Liz de Jager
Fandom Posters, Crafts and Colouring: let's make a big fan-crafty mess! - 10.00am - 11.15am
Fandom poster-making! Advertise your fandom, your favourite pairing, or your favourite fic, AU or trope. Some craft materials (paper, pens, glue, miscellaneous shiny sticky things) will be provided, and we'll have a printer available. Do feel free to bring your own materials too!
We'll also be hosting a Fandom Badge-making session. Felt and yarn crafty fun! Come and sew or crochet a little fandom badge. There will also be some colouring sheets and pens lying about. Suitable for beginners and all ages. All materials provided.
Workshop with Kate, Pensnest, Laura Beard
Fanfic Past and Present: we've come a long way. Where are we? - 11.45am - 1.00pm
Lil Shepherd talks about the prehistory of fanfic (before the internet). Faintdreams examines the current state of the fanfic nation.
Talks by Lil Shepherd, Faintdreams
Superhero Costumes on Film: the evolution of superhero costumes in Hollywood - 11.45am - 1.00pm, County C&D
Examining superhero movie costumes from 1940s Captain America serials to modern-day megafranchises. Can a masked vigilante ever be "realistic?" And does that even matter? Without his cape and cowl, Bruce Wayne is just a rich weirdo with a penchant for nocturnal violence. But while it's easy for audiences to accept flashy costumes and secret identities in superhero comics, things get trickier when those stories are adapted for the big screen. Join Gavia Baker-Whitelaw for an exploration of how Hollywood learned to love the capes and catsuits of the superhero genre, running the gamut from 1940s Captain America serials to the billion-dollar megafranchises of today.
Talk by Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (Hello, Tailor)
Identity and Anonymity For Fanficcers: how do we deal with identity in fandom? - 1.30pm - 2.45pm
A panel examining issues of identity for fanfic fans. Our panellists ask who needs to use pseudonyms, why, and what the advantages and drawbacks of having alternate identities are. How have things changed over the last decade or so, and what is the effect of the mainstreaming of fandom? We ask whether there such a thing as true anonymity on the internet, and whether the increasing availability of personally identifiable data will affect those who continue to try to maintain it.
Panel with Kate, AL Johnson, Neth Dugan, irisbleufic, Emma Vieceli
Womens' Writing and Fanfiction: womens' interaction with fanfiction as creators and consumers - 1.30pm - 2.45pm, in Connaught A (with Geek Feminism)
Statistics show that fanfiction is a predominantly female medium. This panel explores the value of a space where women can create and consume uncensored works of fiction and considers what public opinion can tell us about the ways in which women writers are marginalised.
Panel with Viktoriya, Pensnest, Writcraft, Hannah
Fanfic and Professional Writing: how does a fanfic writer go pro? - 3.15pm - 4.30pm
An increasing number of authors write for money while remaining active in fandom. This panel of writers, and publishing professionals with fannish connections, will look at the pros and cons of being known for fic when it comes to pitching a book to ‘traditional’ publishers. Is there still stigma? Do you have to stop writing fic if you go mainstream? Rather than focusing on how to get published, this session will look at key issues facing those who try to cross the gap, such as differing feedback cultures, transferrable skills, pull-to-publish, and editing vs betaing.
Pennypaperbrain, Juliet Mushens, Julie Crisp, Erin Claiborne
Literary Fanfic and Book Fandoms: examining the differences between literary and other fandoms - 5.00pm - 6.15pm
The majority of fanfiction is based on visual media (films, TV shows, etc), but there are also thriving fandoms based on literary works - and the Yuletide rare fandom exchange often includes fanfic based on literature, from the great classics to the Cat in the Hat. What are the challenges of writing in a fandom for which there's no visual reference? What are the opportunities? And, if it's an obscure work, how do you make it a fandom?
Tanya, irisbleufic, AL Johnson, Alex, Jenn Hersey
Theatre LARP Writing Workshop: creating player-improvised games - 6.45pm - 8.00pm
Ever been curious about writing your own LARP? Last year, we wrote a freeform. This year, we’re going to have a go at writing the structure for a storytelling LARP using pre-game workshops. Much simpler to write and run; the emphasis is on player generated content and in-game improvisation.Take home all you need to get your friends to act out all those fanfic ideas! No previous experience required.
Workshop with Rei, Hanbury, Mo
Tropes Are Forever: making and breaking tropes in fanfiction - 8.30pm - 9.45pm
This workshop will examine tropes, how to use them in fic, and how to break them to best effect.
Workshop with Emma (signe_chan), Zalia Chimera
Fanfiction and BDSM: why and how we write kink - 10.15pm - 11.30pm
A panel of BDSM practitioners, who also read/write fanfic, will look at kinky fic and its place in fandom. Who’s writing it? How do you go about starting? What makes it sexy? With plenty of input from the floor, and considering both reader and writer perspectives, we’ll look at topics such as fantasy writing vs real-life play, how to write specific things such as edgeplay and negotiation, terminology, and what we all find really, really hot. Adult content.
Hazel, Pennypaperbrain, Michele, Phil
Sunday
Let's Continue That Discussion: a very informal fanfic chat session - 9.00am - 9.45am
Come along to the fanfic room, coffee in hand and eyelids propped open, for a very informal chat about all things fanfic. Follow up on ideas you've heard or thought of at the con, discuss fandoms and shipping, or have a philosophical discussion about the ever-expanding role of fanfic in the cultural landscape.
Social, discussion. Facilitated by Pensnest
"They Used *What*?!" Historical research for fanfiction - 10.00am - 11.15am
Writing fanfiction set in a historical period can involve a great deal of research. (Possibly more than has been done by canon creators, in some cases!) And writing historical AUs can be a great way of unpacking the unspoken prejudices of a modern-day canon. Research can be immensely diverting, it can spark a renewed interest in history, and it can affect the course and content of your story. This panel will discuss how historical AUs open up some canons, and share some of the more interesting facets of their own research into various historical periods.
Panel with Tanya Brown, AL Johnson, Tony Keen, Kari Sperring, Melissa Taylor
The Joy of Gen: it's not just sex! Writing gen and friendship - 11.45am - 1.00pm
Some fanficcers prefer to write gen or friendship fic rather than sex and romance. We discuss the particular pleasures of writing gen fic.
Tanya, Lulu, Nic, Pip Janssen, Neth Dugan
Points of View in Fanfic: discuss and experiment with first and second-person narratives - 1.30pm - 2.45pm
A discussion and workshop focussing on voice in fanfiction. We'll start with a brief discussion of why second-person fic - "you desperately want to punch, or perhaps kiss, Tony Stark" - is increasingly popular, while first-person fic is seldom posted. For the workshop, we ask that you bring a short piece of writing (around 500 words) to rewrite in either first or second person. We'll end by sharing our experiences of the exercise.
Workshop with Tanya and Nina
The Rise and Rise of Polyfic: OT3s and polyshipping and orgies, oh my! - 3.15pm - 4.30pm
Everything related to OT3s, OT4s, and OTEveryones in fanfiction. Adult content.
Panel with Emma (signe_chan), Nat (causingfevers), Emily January, Hannah, Indybaggins
Fanfic Goes Forth: Kate and Tanya's big farewell to Fanfic - 5.00pm - 6.15pm
This is Kate and Tanya's last year of running the fanfic track: and we'd like to go out with a bang, not a whimper! We'll present an overview of the last three years: what we've done, what we've learnt, what we're (most and least) proud of, and gather ideas for the years to come. Then we'll remove the Tiaras of Awesome, and look forward to a nice long rest. If you're interested in becoming involved in the future, please come along to put forward your ideas and chat about what happens next.
Social and discussion with Kate, Tanya
Introduction to Blanket Fort Construction: hide and recover from the weekend - 6.45pm - late
Community shows us that blanket forts can be necessary even for adults. Let's do it, and decompress.
Social and workshop, facilitated by Abigail Brady
Workshops
In room 31. Maximum 12 people: first-come-first-in, except sign-ups for Writing The Other.
Friday
Less Is More: Writing Shorter - workshop and discussion on editing fanfic - 5.00pm - 6.15pm
Long fic is good fic, yes? But sometimes there are simply too many words. Maybe you have a word limit (for instance, if you're attempting a strict 100-word drabble): maybe you enjoy refining your prose: maybe you just don't have the time or the inclination to write something lengthy. This workshop offers some techniques for 'writing shorter', and a brief demo of how a thousand words can be edited down, in steps, to a hundred -- and how the story changes as it's stripped to its essentials. Please bring some writing of your own (around 1000 words) to reduce!
Workshop with Tanya and Tlanti
Saturday
Writing The Other: learn to write outside your own experience - 10.00am - 11.15am
How does one write with sensitivity, avoiding the traps, tropes and clichés that reinforce stereotypes and produce one-dimensional characters? Back for the third year running, Stephanie Saulter helps participants to identify their own preconceptions and develop strategies for addressing them. This interactive workshop provides a primer on pitfalls to avoid, and techniques for improving representation. Based on Writing the Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward. Suitable for all writers. Sign up in Room 12, from 4.30pm on Friday.
Workshop with Stephanie Saulter
Sunday
Flash Fanfic Workshop: write fully-formed fic in minutes (prompts provided)! - 10.00am - 11.15am
Flash fiction (short fic written in a short time) can unblock your writing - or you can just experiment.
Workshop with Tlanti
Writing The Other (repeat session) - 3.15pm - 4.30pm
Stephanie Saulter repeats her workshop on writing outside one's own experience. Sign up in Room 12, from 4.30pm Saturday.