Criticism

The Empowered Stan

Fandom can be both identity and liberation—but how do we keep our joys from being co-opted by corporate interests?

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Production still from The Pitt featuring Drs Abbott and Robby standing in front of the red emergency entrance (in the evening), looking meaningfully at each other.

The Pitt Fandom Phenomenon

The hit medical drama showcases three things you need to build a juggernaut fanfic community: popularity, modularity, and intimacy.

(Re)Introducing Fansplaining

Reporting, analysis, criticism, and more—all by, for, and about fandom.

Production still from Heated Rivalry featuring Ilya and Shane laying together naked in bed.

The Success of Heated Rivalry Should Not Be a Surprise

Romancelandia understands why the show is a hit. Why is it so hard for Hollywood to get the message?

Black and white image from the 1930s of a woman sitting at a desk holding a paper and pen, smiling.

Fansplaining’s Next Chapter

We’re relaunching as a weekly publication featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and more—all by, for, and about fandom.