While the Covid pandemic left many feeling isolated, from tragedy has emerged a new surge in modes of fan interaction and fan fiction that further challenge who, what, and how “canon” is determined in fictional worlds that have long since been closed by the authors and script writers.

Alexander Siddig, the actor who played Dr. Julian Bashir on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, created a safe space for fans to gather in an intimate Zoom setting (officially titled the Sid City Social Club) where conversations from cooking to depression and sexuality offered people the opportunity to make new connections and feel less alone. From this came performances of several fan written works by Siddig and his fellow cast members, Nana Visitor and Andrew Robinson.

In the advent of performed fan fiction, this panel seeks papers that considers the role of fan fiction and fan interaction in establishing canonicity and authorial agency through fan fiction outlets such as fanfiction.net, An Archive of Our Own, and Tumblr. Papers are opened to broader topics such as, but not limited to:

-Anonymity and fan fiction

-Fan fiction and the LGBTQ voice

-Performed fan fictions/ performative networks

-Canonicity: who gets to make the decisions?

-Do actors performing fan fiction establish canonicity? If so, what happens to other interpretations?

-Covid inspired television and movie cast reunions

-Meanings of authorship in fan fiction communities

-Any television shows and movies are welcomed for consideration

Due Date: September 25, 2021

 Please submit proposals and a brief CV to Kaitlin Tonti at ktonti2@gmail.com.