Welcome, fellow fans! Thanks for checking out the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW).

What is the OTW?

The Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) was founded in 2007 by fans to serve the interests of fans. We’re a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to and preserving the history of fanworks and fan culture. We believe that fanworks are transformative and that transformative works are legitimate. You can read more about our history on Fanlore or check out our mission statement.

What does that have to do with me or my fandoms?

The OTW provides resources that are fan-made, have fannish interests at heart, and are free for all fans to use.

• Our open-source fanworks archive, the Archive of Our Own (AO3), welcomes works from any fandom and has a goal of maximum inclusiveness, so you never have to worry about being banned because an advertiser or hosting company doesn’t like your content.
• Fanlore is a wiki for recording fandom history, culture, and terminology in your own words. Read up about fans and fandoms you aren’t familiar with or contribute yourself so that fannish culture isn’t lost.
• Open Doors helps rescue endangered archives, zine collections, and other cultural touchstones of fandom so they can be preserved for future generations of fans. Do you know of an online archive that may be in danger? Or have a box of zines that should be preserved?
• Transformative Works and Cultures provides free access to academic writing on fandom and fanworks, as well as commentary on fandom by non-academic fans. Read over their past publications or submit something for publication yourself!
• Our Legal Advocacy project defends your right to produce transformative works and helps fans feel empowered with an understanding of copyright law. They address both internal and external legal concerns, answering questions from the OTW’s committees and respond to questions from fans who are concerned about legislation in their area. If there’s a law that you think may affect AO3, the OTW, or fans, reach out to them and ask!

That sounds cool! Where can I learn more?

You can learn more about us, including our committees, our projects, and more on this website! We also maintain multiple social media accounts where you can connect with us and ask questions. Check out Where To Find Us for a list.

Wow! How can I be a part of this?

Glad you asked, check out How You Can Help! We would love to have your support whether financially as a donor or OTW member or with your time as a volunteer or AO3 contributor!

We recruit volunteers about once a month from January to October, but positions vary depending on which committees have a recruiting need at the time. You can stay updated on which roles are opening up at any given time by subscribing to our newsletter: Sign Up For OTW News by Email!

I have more questions, who can I ask?

You’re welcome to contact Communications with questions if you’re not sure who you need to speak with. Or, you can reach out to specific committees directly if you know who you want to talk to! If you’re unsure who you want to contact, check out the FAQs for Contacting OTW Volunteers. We also recommend you refer to the Committees page for more information about each committee to help you decide who you should contact with a question or issue.