From Fandom to Bestseller
Current trends in romance publishing have resulted in several novels based on fan fiction. "The Love Hypothesis," "Not Another Love Song," "You Again," and "My Roommate is a Vampire" are all based on Star Wars fan fiction. Photo by Caitlin Donnelly
In 2011, E.L. James’ 50 Shades of Grey took publishing by storm, transitioning from its origins as Twilight fan fiction to mainstream success. While the adaptation of fan fiction into published novels is not new, since 50 Shades this trend has gained significant momentum with the help of platforms like Amazon’s self-publishing and Wattpad. Among these emerging stories, the Reylo fandom—dedicated to the romantic pairing of Rey Skywalker (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) from the Star Wars sequel trilogy—has set a new precedent, earning widespread acceptance where earlier efforts faced criticism.
Fan fiction, often abbreviated as "fic," refers to stories that reinterpret or expand upon existing media texts. Its roots stretch back centuries, with enthusiasts penning alternative endings to Sherlock Holmes mysteries or Jane Austen novels. Modern definitions of fan fiction focus on the creation, distribution, and consumption of these stories within amateur, often community built, spaces. Currently fan fiction thrives in online communities like Archive of Our Own (AO3) and Wattpad, where participants create works that are transformative, breaking and molding existing media to fit a fan’s desires.
The Adam Driver of It All
The Reylo fandom is a perfect example of fan fiction’s mainstream ascent. Despite backlash from parts of the Star Wars fandom labeling the pairing “abusive” or “problematic,” Reylo’s fan base has remained steadfast. Their contributions dominate Star Wars-related fan fiction on AO3, with over 30,000 works to date.
Former prominent Reylo fan fiction authors, such as Ali Hazelwood and Julie Soto, have successfully transitioned their works into published novels, helped by their framing as alternative universe stories. Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis reimagines Rey and Kylo as rival researchers at Stanford that end up in a “fake dating” scenario. Soto’s Not Another Love Song transforms the story into a enemies-to-lovers romantic drama within the world of classical music.
In focusing on the characters of Rey and Kylo and placing them in an alternate setting, the authors can eliminate many of the characteristics that makes Star Wars Star Wars. These stories are left with the core elements of character’s relationships that interested Reylo fans in the first place, and allows authors to have a lot more flexibility in shaping their stories, including being able to shape the plot in drastic ways.
Unlike the earlier example of 50 Shades of Grey, which faced criticism for “exploiting” fan spaces, Reylo-inspired novels have benefited from overwhelming fan support. Online Reylo communities celebrated Hazelwood and Soto’s success, actively promoting pre-orders and helping the novels achieve bestseller status.
This embrace highlights a shift in the perception of published fan fiction amongst online fan communities. For many fans, these novels validate their creative efforts and bring legitimacy to their fandoms, particularly when the pairing is not present in the source media. However, this trend also underscores the commodification of fandom. By leveraging affective economics—a marketing strategy centered on emotional connections—publishers use fan art, fan-related terminology and community ties to boost sales. For instance, the cover art for The Love Hypothesis was created by a well-known fan artist and closely resembles actors Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley, reinforcing its Reylo roots.
Legal and Inclusivity Considerations
Fan fiction exists in a complex relationship with copyright laws. As transformative works, fan fictions often reinterpret original stories rather than imitating them outright. This creativity can fall under “fair use” provisions in copyright law.
The predominance of AU stories in published fan fiction highlights this legal navigation. By stripping away the distinctive elements of Star Wars, such as the Force or lightsabers, authors can craft narratives that stand independently. However, future works, such as Julie Soto’s upcoming Rose in Chains, which remains more closely tied to its source material (Harry Potter), may test the limits of this approach.
While fan fiction communities are often celebrated for their inclusivity, the mainstreaming of fan fiction has exposed disparities. Most published fan fiction-inspired novels feature heterosexual pairings, despite the predominance of queer relationships in fan-created works. For example, on AO3, the Harry/Draco pairing in the Harry Potter fandom significantly outpaces Hermione/Draco in popularity, yet the latter receives far more attention in published adaptations. This trend reflects the publishing industry’s preference for marketable, heteronormative narratives, sidelining the diversity that defines fan spaces.
The Future
The transition of fan fiction from amateur communities to mainstream publishing is not without challenges. Yet, it also offers opportunities. As copyright laws evolve, fan fiction may continue to push creative boundaries, legitimizing fan practices while sparking discussions about ownership, inclusivity, and the value of transformative art.
Reylo-inspired novels represent a pivotal moment in this journey, demonstrating how fandom can influence mainstream culture. By blending the passionate creativity of fan communities with the broader appeal of published fiction, this trend reshapes the boundaries between amateur and professional storytelling.
As fan fiction becomes an increasingly visible cultural force, its transformative potential remains its greatest strength. Whether through Reylo, Harry Potter, or other fandoms, these stories continue to challenge and redefine the narratives of modern media.
About the author: Caitlin Donnelly is a Master’s student in the Communication and Culture program, specializing in fan studies with a focus on textile-based fan practices, particularly cosplay. With a professional background in arts marketing and a passion for fandom and community building, her research explores the intersections of fan creativity, maker culture, and the accessibility of textile and fashion arts.
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