Media science fiction fanlit is a subgenre of science fiction practised by both amateurs and professionals. This report will focus on the former alone. In media science fiction fanlit the writers take characters and series that have been created and presented commercially (ie on television, video, film or audio) and weave their own plots around them. Media here refers to the above mentioned forms and not the written form, which is commonly called mainstream sf. But it is not unknown for fan writers to use written sf as a basis for their writings.
Amateur writers of fanlit do it for pleasure and not for profit. Their readers number in the hundreds and not in the millions of professionals. They write because they have been touched or 'inspired' by someone else's characters and have seen potential for development of plotlines, characterisation etc. Their readers are sf fans like themselves, maybe also writers, members of clubs and organisations and individuals. This group of 'enjoyers' of media sf is usually referred to collectively as fandom. Within fandom are sub genres of various kinds, usually dependent upon individual series and films etc. The subgroups however overlap - a lot!
The readers of most media sf fanlit are fans of various series and generally read the fiction presented in amateur fanzines; this being the generic name for an amateur produced or created magazine. These (fan)zines are reproduced in various ways, including offset printing, gestetnered pages, photocopied sheets and even computer printouts. Zines are usually non profit and are not intended to infringe copyright. Titles are relevant to individual series and the method of copying depends upon the finances and facilities of the zine producer.
Media sf fanlit varies from mainstream sf in that basically it is not original in its characters and settings. Originality is displayed in plotting and variations, in the writer saying, 'What if this event took place instead of this (possibly established) event?' In mainstream sf, both amateur and professional, the writer creates the entire text. However, fan writers have extended the basic characters and settings. They are still however working on someone else's basic premise or creation. This is not as easy as it might sound. It is in fact rather difficult; the characters have been formed and must act as they have been created originally. In other words, for success the fan writer must be able to make his or her characters behave 'in character'. It must be stated that in many cases the original 'creators' of series and characters are well aware of this amateur flood of stories and do not display concern. Some display interest. It is, after all, a very flattering display of enjoyment and interest in their work and takes nothing from them. Cast members may also display interest, especially if it is their character that is focussed upon. Of course, not all creators are happy about the situation, possibly seeing copyright infringements in fanzines and not realising this is a very sincere form of appreciation of their creations.
In Australia, media SF fanlit is based upon a variety of SF series and movies. Examples include Star Trek (three variations - the original TV series, the set of movies and also the new TV series 'Star Trek - the Next Generation'), Doctor Who (which has an extremely wide following), Blake's 7 (another British TV series created by Terry Nation), Battlestar Galactica, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Star Wars trilogy, V, etc.
Media SF fanlit comes in many forms. It may be serious or humorous, narrative, verse or drama written down. Mixed universe stories (where characters from two or more series are brought together) can be fun but they can also be very difficult to write. Crossed universe stories (where the characters from one series are brought into the settings and involved in the events of another) pose potential and are very similar in type to mixed universe. Because the fan writer may feel proprietorial, he or she (usually she) may plot stories that totally diverge from the established series or film events and take off in new directions. Minor characters may be further developed and the 'what if?' beginning for a plot explored. The variation is immense. Other sub genres of the narrative included the Mary Sue story and adult plotlines. Mary Sue is an impossibly heroic heroine who saves the galaxy without pausing for breath and with whom all the males fall hopelessly in love. Some of the adult stories include explicit sex, both hetero and homo. Other writers adapt the lyrics of songs and verse to create what are called filksongs.
All of these different forms owe their being of course to the original creators of interesting characters, series and movies in the science fiction line. The enthusiastic interest of their fans has taken up, in fact, where the series or movie left off, perpetuating its existence.
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