Transformative Works and Cultures - TWC (Organization for Transformative Works)
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Teaching trans studies through fan fiction in college English classrooms
No full textTrans studies has usually been taught within gender studies and women's studies programs. Yet, as trans studies has become highly interdisciplinary, trans awareness is still an issue in many fields; thus, incorporating trans discussions in courses in multiple disciplines is imperative. This study demonstrates how the firsthand teaching experience of a student-centered, literary-theory-related undergraduate course unit given by the English department incorporated trans studies through fan fiction. Particularly, we utilized the theoretical concept of nonbinary genders and its resistance to the heteronormative and heteropatriarchal system via a study of Loki's gender fluidity in the Loki miniseries, some exemplary transgender fan fiction, and the Omegaverse. Fandoms and fan fiction can be valuable course materials to create a comfortable space for students from different backgrounds to actively engage, discuss, and think critically about trans topics and trans theories. In this sense, this course unit explores the possibility of teaching trans studies beyond gender studies classrooms as well as courses focusing primarily on trans studies, encouraging more students to understand trans concepts and become trans allies
Doing feminism through Chinese online fiction fandom
No full textTo explore the connections between Chinese online fiction fandom and feminism, in-depth interviews were conducted with thirty-two Chinese women and nonbinary fans of online fiction. Online fiction fandom is both a counterpublic and an intimate public in which women and nonbinary fans are connected by a common interest, their feminist identities are formed through or emerge through participation in such a public, and their shared values and understanding of feminism create a closer sense of belonging and affective solidarity. Engaging with feminism through online fiction is a form of digital feminism, creating feminist consciousness among online fiction fans through literary and discursive constructs. Women-oriented online fiction has become a space for many young Chinese women and nonbinary people to criticize and challenge patriarchal gender norms and reflect on mainstream gender relations. This space continues to produce educational cultural resources that make feminist learning and practice a work in progress
Special issue on Chinese fandoms: Prosumers, communities, and identities
No full textEditorial for "Chinese Fandoms," edited by Zhen Troy Chen and Celia Lam, special issue, Transformative Works and Cultures, no. 41 (December 15, 2023)
"Representing kink: Fringe sexuality and textuality in literature, digital narrative, and popular culture," edited by Sara K. Howe and Susan E. Cook
No full textSara K. Howe and Susan E. Cook, editors, Representing kink: Fringe sexuality and textuality in literature, digital narrative, and popular culture. Washington, DC: Rowman & Littlefield, 2019; paperback, 95 (194p), ISBN 9781498590853
"Play with me!" Zhan jie as productive fans in the Chinese idol industry
No full textWith the spread of K-pop culture in China, home masters known as zhan jie have emerged. Zhan jie are productive fans who photograph their idols and post the pictures on social media platforms. Zhan jie are essential in fandom culture because they can help their idols consolidate and expand their fan bases. However, fandom studies have seldom focused on zhan jie, possibly due to the difficulties in reaching them. We employ participatory observation to examine how zhan jie as productive fans impact the Chinese idol industry. We reveal that zhan jie are professionals, acting as mediators who connect idols and fans. Finally, we sketch a new landscape of the idol industry, with zhan jie as mediators who adjust the relationship between idols and peripheral fans
"Social TV: Multi-screen content and ephemeral culture," by Cory Barker
No full textCory Barker, Social TV: Multi-screen content and ephemeral culture. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2022, hardback $99 (272pp) ISBN 9781496840929
"Dislike-Minded: Media, audiences, and the dynamics of taste," by Jonathan Gray
No full textJonathan Gray. Dislike-Minded: Media, audiences, and the dynamics of Taste. New York: New York University Press, 2021, paperback, $29.00 (259p) ISBN: 978-147980998
Trans fans and fan fiction: A literature review
No full textAlthough fan fiction studies has historically focused overwhelmingly on (cis)female fans, research suggests that trans fans—here used as an umbrella term for gender nonnormative fans—are a significant proportion of fan fiction communities. This literature review summarizes recent studies that discuss fan fiction and trans fans, as well as research exploring various genres of fan fiction that play with gender to consider the reasons such fan fiction may appeal to trans fans specifically
"How could you think we'd care about what that—woman—wrote about you?": Harry Potter fans' reaction to J. K. Rowling's transphobic tweets
No full textI surveyed current and former Harry Potter fans’ thoughts on recent tweets by author J. K. Rowling. Results show that fans have strong opinions of Rowling’s tweets and Rowling herself, but mixed feelings about the Harry Potter franchise
Best TV show you have never seen: Maintaining collective identity among the Twitter fandom of Chinese dangai drama Immortality
No full textIn recent years, Chinese web dramas based on danmei/boys' love novels have gained considerable popularity among English-speaking fandoms inhabiting social media platforms such as Twitter. However, with the current tightening of Chinese censorship on nonheterosexual content portrayed in media, many TV series have been indefinitely shelved, including the already filmed Immortality (n.d.). Despite this abrupt development, the Immortality fandom continues to engage in numerous activities with the purpose of maintaining unity and continuous interest in the series. Through becoming active promoters of other elements of Immortality's transmedia universe and partaking in behaviors meant to establish their superiority over other fandoms, fandom members invoke genuine feelings of belonging and fulfillment. Additionally, this behavior indicates fans' reluctance to part with the established online community and its activities due to the degree of emotional fulfillment found not only in the collective consumption of Immortality but perhaps more so the lack thereof