Elaborating on the textual attention topic that we discussed in the lectorial, it is interesting to look at the perspective of how creators, producers, etc. provide for fans and fandoms, and how the fandoms provide right back. The Wizarding World for instance, or even the Pottermore website, really allows these fans to engage with their favourite stories and characters even more. Even more so, how Fans continue to keep these stories alive through fanfic and whatnot.
To continue with the Harry Potter references, J.K. Rolling (and co.) have worked extremely hard to keep the fans happy and the fandom alive for this series that begun 20 years ago. Her fans have continued to stay strong and loyal to the series, even correcting small errors made in the real-life exhibition that was made for them. Rolling has also kept the dream of this magical world alive through the creation of a play and more films series to come, the most recent being Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (2016).
Small acts like this has helped to keep the fans both loyal and to bring in more from younger generations who didn’t grow up with the original Harry Potter series (book version, of course).
In saying this, fans provide right back. Through Fan Fiction, stories (and ships) are able to stay alive and continue on, almost as if the series never ended – which for some, it hasn’t. Cosplay and fan art are other forms of creativity that fans use to keep the Fandom alive and well.
On equal parts, the creators and the fans both provide for one another. This can be seen in almost any series, as films (such as avengers) will continue to be made to both appease and keep the fandom alive. It is also important to look at the role of merchandising, websites and social media (i.e. Tumblr) in keeping these fandoms strong, and how they are able to communicate with one another.
