Transformative Works and Cultures has released No. 42, “Fandoms and Platforms”, guest edited by Maria Alberto, Effie Sapuridis, and Lesley Willard.

The essays in this issue focus on “The platform as the foundation of digital media”, as well as “fan activity of various kinds [which is] built upon and through specific spaces, technologies, and cultural norms”. Each issue includes articles representing theory, fannish meta, and book reviews. This issue groups its articles into three broad categories: architecture, community, and power. Some examples include:

• “It’s not your tumblr”: Commentary-style tagging practices in fandom communities
• Discord as a fandom platform: Locating a new playground
• The fading of the elves: Techno-volunteerism and the disappearance of Tolkien fan fiction archives
• “One day longer, one day stronger”: Online platforms, fan support and the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes

The next issue of TWC, No. 43, is a general issue. It will appear on September 15, 2024. Following that, No. 44, a special issue titled “Centering Blackness in Fan Studies” will be released on December 15, 2024.

TWC’s upcoming deadlines include:

• Sports Fandom, still accepting symposium pieces;
• Fans of Color Research Prize, applications due May 1;

We accept submissions for our general issues on a rolling basis. The general issues always appear on September 15.