In a world with an online community for every franchise you can think of, fan-made stories based on existing properties are everywhere. If you’re an aspiring author hoping to publish your own novel one day, dipping your toe in the world of fanfiction is a great first step.
After all, readers will already be familiar with the concept and setting of your story’s world — instead of spending time explaining what the Hunger Games are and how they work, you can jump straight into the unique story you want to tell! Some fanfiction has been so successful that it can stand alone as full-fledged novels in its own right, completely removed from the source material. In this post, let’s look at five well-known books that started out as fanfiction, and see where their authors are now.
1. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
Fifty Shades of Grey is the poster child for works that began as fanfiction before becoming blockbuster books in their own right. Originally titled “Master of the Universe”, E.L. James’ story started as a Twilight fanfiction featuring Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, later reimagined as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele.
The story quickly gained traction in online Twilight circles, as its passionate, BDSM-infused romance had readers in a chokehold. This success prompted James to reshape the world and characters so it could stand on its own; a few key changes later, voila! Fifty Shades of Grey was born.
With over 150 million copies sold worldwide, two sequels, and a major film franchise to its name, Fifty Shades of Grey has cemented E.L. James as one of the most commercially successful authors of the 2010s. Since then, James has continued to expand her body of work with other romance novels, including 2019’s The Mister and its 2023 follow-up, The Missus.
2. The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison
This pick got its start as a Sherlock Holmes “WingFic”, a subgenre of fanfiction that reimagines characters with angelic traits with the aim of exploring themes of power and magic in an otherwise non-supernatural world (if you’re thinking shades of Supernatural, I’m right there with you).
In The Angel of the Crows, Sherlock becomes Crow, an unconventional and eccentric angel, while Dr. Watson is reimagined as Dr. J.H. Doyle, a war veteran harboring his own dark secrets. The book’s fanfiction roots are no secret, as Addison confirms in the author’s note that she initially wrote it for personal enjoyment before transforming it into a standalone piece of speculative fiction.
But even before publishing The Angel of the Crows, Katherine Addison was an accomplished author in her own right; her 2014 book The Goblin Emperor won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, and she’s released numerous other works under her real name, Sarah Monette.
3. After by Anna Todd
For many of us, the early 2010s were a simpler time: an era defined by flower crowns, hipster glasses, mustache finger tattoos, and, of course, One Direction. The superstar boy band was everywhere in 2013, and with a fanbase that large, there was no shortage of fanfiction for a dedicated Directioner to consume.
A particularly passionate 1D devotee by the name of Anna Todd channeled her fandom passion into After, a steamy love story first posted on Wattpad. The fic follows 18-year-old Tessa Young and her romance with the Harry Styles-inspired Hardin Scott. It quickly became a hit in online 1D communities, leading to an official publication in 2014.
In a strange twist of fate, After has persevered longer in pop culture than the band it was based on! A film adaptation was released in 2019, which helped revive interest in the original novel on BookTok. Now, a whole new generation of readers have experienced the dramatic twists and steamy scenes of the original, years after One Direction’s touring days came to a close. Anna Todd continues to release romance books to this day, including an official graphic novel adaptation for After, the one that started it all.
4. Point Pleasant by Jen Archer Wood
Continuing the 2010s Tumblr theme, we have Point Pleasant, a Supernatural fanfiction turned sinister romance romp. Set in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, the story follows Ben Wiseheart: a former resident who reluctantly returns to his hometown after a decade away. While Ben rekindles an old romance from his teen years, he is drawn into the mystery of Mothman, an infamous local cryptid known to bring doom to those unfortunate enough to encounter it.
Between its otherworldly elements, small town setting, and clear love for paranormal Americana, Supernatural’s influence on Jen Archer Wood is plain to see. But make no mistake — Point Pleasant is an excellent standalone novel that blends the dark allure of the TV series with its own unique lore, setting, and character dynamics. With more than a decade since the initial release, a sequel may not be on the horizon, but readers will always be able to appreciate the original for its eerie atmosphere and loving homage to one of America’s most enduring TV legends.
5. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
May the Force be with you… the force of love, that is! In 2018, Ali Hazelwood posted “Head Over Feet” to Archive of Our Own (AO3), a love story centered around Rey and Kylo Ren from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Hazelwood transposed the pair into a modern academic setting, trading their extraordinary science fiction origins for a regular science lab, in order to focus more on their romantic chemistry (pun intended).
As the story picked up steam on AO3, Hazelwood began to recognize its potential as a standalone novel — after all, the fic was already set outside of the traditional Star Wars universe. Once “Head Over Feet” was purged of all its Star Wars elements, The Love Hypothesis was born.
The novel was released in 2021 to huge commercial success, praised for its witty banter, refreshingly accurate portrayal of academic life, and the leads’ charming romance at the center of it all. Hazelwood has since become a staple of the contemporary romance genre, with a particular focus on women in STEM finding their own Prince (or should that be Emperor?) Charming.
The success of these stories show that fanfiction can be more than a fun hobby — it can be the springboard that jump-starts your professional writing career. A number of renowned authors got their start by reimagining their favorite characters in new scenarios, so if you’re a fan with a wild idea, don’t hesitate to get writing! The next big hit might just start with your favorite fandom.
About the author
Nick Bailey writes about anything and everything in the realm of writing and publishing. From articles on honing your craft to launching your book, Nick aims to provide valuable insights and practical tips to the Litreactor community in his posts. Aside from books, Nick enjoys hiking, electronic music, and filling up his personal cookbook with new recipes.
