''Transformative Works and Cultures'' is a
peer-reviewed open access academic journal
An academic journal or scholarly journal is a periodical publication in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as permanent and transparent forums for the presentation, scrutiny, and ...
published by the
Organization for Transformative Works. The journal collects essays, articles, book reviews, and shorter pieces that concern
fandom
A fandom is a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of empathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest. Fans typically are interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant ...
, fanworks, and fan practices. According to
Humanities, Arts, Science and Technology Alliance and Collaboratory (HASTAC), the journal "supports the
rganization for Transformative Works'smission to promote the legitimacy and sustainability of non-commercial fan creativity by providing a forum for innovative criticism in
fan studies, broadly conceived."
The founding editors were
Kristina Busse and
Karen Hellekson, who remain the editors as of 2021. It covers "popular media, fan communities, and transformative works". A number of noted fan and media scholars sit on the journal's board, such as
Henry Jenkins, Busse, Hellekson,
Francesca Coppa
Francesca Coppa (born March 26, 1970) is an American scholar whose research has encompassed British drama, performance studies and fan studies. In English literature, she is known for her work on the British writer Joe Orton; she edited several ...
,
Paul Booth,
Kathleen Fitzpatrick,
Jason Mittell, and
Rebecca Tushnet
Rebecca Tushnet (born April 4, 1973) is an American legal scholar. She serves as the Frank Stanton Professor of First Amendment Law at Harvard Law School. Her scholarship focuses on copyright, trademark, First Amendment, and false advertising.
...
, among others. The journal has raised the academic profile of female fan communities and transformative works, including fan fiction, fan art, fan vids, and cosplay, by serving as a central publication venue for these topics. Coppa states that many second-wave fan fiction scholars, such as herself, started to publish in ''Transformative Works and Cultures'' and that the journal has "nurtured a new wave of scholars". Via a number of articles, the journal has had a hand in helping to spread Jenkins, Sam Ford, and Joshua Green's idea of "spreadable media".
''TWC'' reached its 20th issue milestone in September 2015, which was commemorated with an online panel discussion by past contributors about the state of fan studies and the role of'' TWC''.
References
{{reflist
External links
Official website
Fandom
Fan fiction
Fan labor
Open access journals
Publications established in 2008