LGBTQ+ Fanfiction Writers Club (Age 13+)
Morgan A. McLaughlin McFarland, MAPW
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(493)
Students will use fanfiction writing to explore topics and themes in contemporary popular media, learn to use fandom spaces safety and respectfully, and bond with other students over shared interests.
Class experience
US Grade 8 - 11
Fanfiction is an amazing tool for developing writing skills, building a community, and exploring experiences and identities in a supportive environment. Published authors like Rainbow Rowell, Cassandra Clare, Neil Gaiman, Lev Grossman, Seanan McGuire, and Holly Black have all written—or still actively write—fanfiction. The conflicts and events these authors examine in their fanworks often make their way onto the published page as part of original short stories and novels. The importance of...
I am a veteran professional writer and editor who also writes fanfiction in her free time. I spent six years as aTag Wrangler (someone who handles how fanworks are sorted/categorized through tagging) for the Archive of Our Own fanfiction platform and am familiar with the mechanics of the site as well as the culture of fandom and fanworks. Additionally, I am a regular panelist at Atlanta's Dragon Con science fiction and fantasy convention, speaking on multiple popular media sources and their related fanworks. I am also a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself.
Homework Offered
I provide quarterly prompt lists for learners (approximately 60 prompts), as well as intermittent optional "homework" assignments that could including finding a fanwork using search parameters, creating a fanwork, or learning more about an aspect of fanworks.0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
I am happy to provide assessments upon request.Grades Offered
Students who wish to explore fanworks with this class are encouraged (but not required) to sign up for an Archive of Our Own (AO3) account. This account is free, the site is non-profit and does not contain any external advertising, and the platform provides nuanced filtering options to help young writers/reader and their parents find age-appropriate works.
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
While the subject matter of this class will remain age appropriate (PG-13/T-rated or below), students may encounter more mature materials on fanfiction platforms like AO3. AO3 requires members to be age 13+ to create an account, and for this reason, this class has a strict age minimum of 13. Parents are strongly encouraged to assist their students in setting up AO3 accounts and exploring the safety settings the site provides, as well as to discuss what type of content is appropriate for your learner. We will regularly discuss how to filter out unwanted content in order to maintain a safe and supportive atmosphere. Learners are encouraged to curate their own fandom spaces and experiences in order to avoid encountering materials or topics that distress them, but which are allowed on the AO3 platform. Please note that I do not share recordings for social/non-academic classes.
Popular
Average rating:4.9Number of reviews:(493)
I teach creative writing, gaming, and popular media & culture to learners from age 8 through high school. I offer a range of courses that focus on specific literary genres, some traditional and some popular/contemporary, as well as multiple...
Group Class
$12
weekly1x per week
60 min
Completed by 38 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
2-10 learners per class
