Fanfiction questions for fanfiction writers

Post date: 2025-06-11 12:18:15

I'm curious about a few things regarding writing and posting fanfic on sites like AO3. If you're a fanfic writer and you could answer some of these or give it a shot I'd be so grateful. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I've just begun writing fic for my beloved special interest fandom, and I'm realizing that while I would love to post it on AO3 as folks seem to do (as there are more than 4500 fics on there for my fandom, wow), I have no idea where to start. I'm curious about a few things and then any other tips/advice/etc that folks might have for me.

1) First up, how does one find a beta reader? And do you want to have a beta reader who is into your same fandom? Or is this just like an editor who is good at editing but doesn't necessarily have to know your fandom? Also if your fic isn't beta read, how much does that matter?

2) How do you find all the tags and know what they mean so that you can put the correct tags on your fic?

3) Should I make an entirely new email address etc to use for AO3 so that it isn't connected to all of my other internet stuff? I'm thinking yes on this one but just wanted confirmation.

4) How would I share my fic with other people who like my fandom? Reddit?

5) Any other tips, ideas, thoughts, suggestions, or indeed just encouragement would be great. I am a pretty good writer but my fandom is so dear to me that I feel so tentative about putting anything related to it out into the world because what if it doesn't measure up?? Of course that's a fear with any kind of art.

Thanks everybody!

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