Is fan fiction the new slush pile? What editors are really looking for

There was a time when fan fiction lived in the shadows, tucked into forums, buried in tags, dismissed as derivative, and looked down upon. It wasn’t writing. It was adoration as typing. 

Not anymore. Now, it’s edging toward centre stage, commanding the attention of publishers, agents, and readers alike.

Fan fiction has become something of a paradox: both grassroots and polished, chaotic and craft-driven, wildly personal and surprisingly marketable. And in 2025, it’s clear that fanfic isn’t a guilty pleasure any longer, it’s a scouting ground.

More and more, fan fiction is becoming the new slush pile. But this time, the authors come with audiences already in tow.

The Shift: From archive to acquisition

In recent years, publishers have embraced the fact that reader communities matter. BookTok, Wattpad, AO3 and even Discord have become goldmines—not just for discovering new authors, but for gauging what readers are emotionally hungry for.

The most headline-grabbing example? SenLinYu, whose Harry Potter fanfic Manacled became a viral phenomenon. Inspired by The Handmaid’s Tale and laden with dark emotional weight, the fic received millions of views and fervent fan devotion. In 2025, it’s being reborn as Alchemised, a wholly original romantasy set for traditional publication. The new version sheds its IP constraints while keeping the emotional blueprint intact.

Then there’s Alexene Farol Follmuth, who published The Atlas Six under the pen name Olivie Blake—originally self-published online and fanfic-adjacent in tone. The book went viral on TikTok before landing a deal with Tor Books.

And let’s not forget Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing, which, while not directly born of fanfic, taps into the tropes and emotional beats that fanfic readers have long loved: enemies to lovers, morally grey protagonists, intense slow-burn dynamics. It reads like fanfic in all the best ways.

What editors are looking for

So, what makes a fanfic story stand out in the eyes of a publisher?

Emotional intensity – Stories that don’t just entertain but feel. Angst, longing, redemption, intimacy, these resonate far more than plot twists alone.

Tropes done well – Think “enemies to lovers,” “found family,” “the one bed,” or “grumpy/sunshine.” Fanfic embraces these tropes unapologetically—and readers love them when executed with depth.

Strong voice – Many fanfic writers develop a loyal following not because of what they write, but how they write it. Voice, rhythm, and pacing are gold.

Community engagement – Editors are noticing authors who’ve cultivated comment threads, fan art, remixes, and thousands of bookmarks. A fandom is proof of concept.

Proof of consistency – Many fanfic writers have posted hundreds of thousands of words over time, across series and sequels. That’s a backlist waiting to happen.

The inevitable complications

Of course, turning fanfic into publishable fiction isn’t as easy as changing a few names.

There are legal boundaries. Fanfic can’t simply be reprinted with swapped character names. Intellectual property law protects fictional universes, so authors must rework world-building, relationships and even plot points to avoid infringement. Alchemised, for instance, required a complete retelling with new lore and original magic systems.

Then there are reader expectations. Some fans resist these transitions, especially if the heart of the original fic feels diluted or overly polished. Others welcome the chance to support a favourite writer's leap into trad pub.

And yes, there’s still a degree of literary snobbery. Some corners of publishing still treat fanfic as unoriginal, despite its extraordinary emotional reach and inventive language. But those critics are increasingly being drowned out by sales numbers and reader loyalty.

Fanfic vs AI-generated stories: A human touch

Interestingly, this rise in fanfic comes just as the industry grapples with another trend—AI-generated fiction. While both tap into formulas and repetition, only one is rooted in genuine human emotion. Fanfic, for all its structural familiarity, is wildly original in voice, risk-taking and passion.

It’s community-built, emotionally alive and gloriously imperfect. And that’s precisely why it works.

Your Turn

Have you read a fanfic that made the jump to print? Did it land—or lose something along the way?

Or maybe you’ve got a favourite fic you think should be published. Drop the title in the comments (yes, we’re nosy). The future of fiction is more participatory than ever—and that’s something to celebrate.