Positive Fandom

This summer, we've worked with the HP Alliance as they've drafted guidelines that support positive fandom interactions; FictionAlley's been around a long time, and we've seen a lot of discussions over the past fourteen-plus years about issues in and impacting fandomers and fandom; sometimes that gets in the way of creativity and sharing, and sometimes it silences voices, words and insightful contributions.

We agree with the idea shared by the HPA this month - We want our community and all others like it to be safe, constructive, positive spaces.  - so we've read the guidelines at PositiveFandom; we hope that we've always followed the principles and concepts articulated within those statements, and we know you tell us when we don't. 

We know that "fandom is home to endless perspectives on and interpretations of a common material," - that concept is why FictionAlley was founded - and if you're interested in signing onto supporting the guidelines too, that would be magical and awesome. 

And if you're going to be at GeekyCon in Orlando on August 1 (the event goes from July 30 to August 2), Heidi will be talking about legal issues involving fandom, fanworks and fandomers - including the importance of terms of use that include principles like those included in the Positive Fandom guidelines; come by and say hi! 

Buzzfeed Wants More Harry Potter Stories

One of Buzzfeed's newest listicles covers thirteen Harry Potter-verse stories that they'd like to see on the small screen. We've read most of the ideas in fanfic form at one time or another, but seeing them listed on Buzzfeed showcases the awesome depth and breadth of stories from and about the Wizarding World and its inhabitants. What would you rather see? A Prisoner Of Azkaban comic written from the perspectives of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin? A History of Magic miniseries, framed like a documentary? A "Welcome to Night Vale"-esque podcast set at the Ministry of Magic? 

How would your favorite fanfic translate to the small screen - or into a podcast? 

Harry Potter Fandom @ San Diego Comic Con

San Diego Comic Con is next week, and there's a number of events on the schedule for Harry Potter fans. Daniel Radcliffe will be at Nerdist at Petco Park on Saturday afternoon for an on-stage Q&A, and on Sunday, SDCC welcomes the return of the annual Harry Potter Fandom Panel.

It'll be July 12 at 10:15 AM in Room 6A; this year, the panelists are:
Adrienne Alwag-Aipia of Dumbledore’s Army of Los Angeles
Alex Benpe of usquidditch
Jackson Bird of The HP Alliance
Alexa Donne of leviosacon
Madhuri Shekar, playwright of Love & Warcraft and frequent FictionAlley author
rachaelvaughn of snapecast (& threepatchpodcast)
Wrocker Sunny Williams
Justin Zagri, director of The Greater Good and Severus Snape & the Marauders

Also, on Thursday and Friday, Friend of FA friend Hansi Oppenheimer will have her production team at SDCC to interview fandomers for SQUEE!, her forthcoming documentary on fandom - let her know if you’re interested in doing an interview.

Heidi is also modding a panel on fandom which also features FictionAlley founder Flourish Klink.  “Fandom Is Our Fandom, or We All Live in a Coffee Shop AU” is on Thursday at 5 PM in room 14A, and the other panelists are: 

Amanda Brennan (aka continuants) (Community & Content Tumblarian, staff)
flourish klink (Chaotic Good, Inc., Transmedia Producer for eastloshigh)
meredithgene (Fanthropologist, ZEFR)
Aron Levitz (Head of Business Development, wattpad)
elizabethminkel (Writer, New Statesman/The Millions)
Betsy Rosenblatt (Legal Committee Chair, transformativeworks
Missyjack (aka Jules) (Editor in Chief, supernaturalwiki)

You can also catch us at Game of Bloggers on Wednesday night at the Dragon Bar; we're joining Crazy4ComicCon and almost a hundred other websites for fun, celebrations of all things geeky, and great conversation. If you're not able to get to San Diego, we'll be tweeting about all things Harry Potter and fandom from July 8 through the 12th!