If someone writes fic for a non-existent media property, is it really fic? Or is it shared-universe original fiction writing?

Tumblr went all in on Goncharov (1973), a Scorsese mafia flick that, to be clear, does not exist. It never existed. But tumblr is treating it as an actual media property, with analysis, shipping wars, and gif sets (mostly cribbed from Al Pachino's earlier career). Even the OG Wonderwoman, Lynda Carter, got into it, posting a 1970s picture of her allegedly at the movie premiere. (She's adapted to tumblr splendidly. If it really is her. I'm inclined to think so.)

Anyway, this morning I got an alert that Dira Sudis had posted a new fic on AO3 in the Goncharov fandom. I have not read it yet, as I want to revisit the movie first so I can appreciate it.

OK, I haven't read it because I had to go to work.

But anyway, that's what prompted my original question. Fanfiction is supposedly writing engaging with a media property of which one is a fan. Is it possible for something to be fanfiction if the media property it's engaging doesn't really exist?

To be clear, I'm not mad about it. I think the whole thing is delightful! But I did find myself wondering about my initial question, so I'm posting it here for the hivemind to consider.

I'd say yes, because it emerges from the fanfic tradition and uses fic tropes and stuff. Not that I've read any of it.

Is it possible for something to be fanfiction if the media property it's engaging doesn't really exist?

I'd say absolutely. The Good Omens fic Slow Show is a human AU where Crowley and Aziraphale are actors in a TV show that's vaguely Witcher-esque called "Warlock," and there's a fairly large handful of Warlock fanfic that people wrote after Slow Show was complete. Warlock the fictional TV show doesn't exist, but it exists enough for people to write fic about it.

I'm utterly tickled at how quickly Goncharov fanfic was written. (I also haven't read any, but it's still delightful. PS: Ice Pick Joe is my little meow meow.)

Those are solid arguments.

I would also say yes. It reminds me of the Rainbow Rowell book which is loosely based on Harry Potter fic writing, and then came up with the original material later.

I think it also meets the impulse- a group need to explore the universe.

I haven’t heard of this because I don’t tumbl, but I will read, because Dira Sudis is always good.

It reminds me of the Rainbow Rowell book which is loosely based on Harry Potter fic writing, and then came up with the original material later.

Fangirl! I love that book so much.

Not exactly fic, but kind of. Episodes I would write if I rebooted Designing Women. [link]

Ok someone point me at Yuletide stories that don’t require knowledge of the fandom or are quick. I am very much appreciating a few based on a mcsweenys article about a small town not wanting to be your rom-com, because we have watched a LOT of hallmark movies this month.

I was hoping for the same thing! I usually read The Breakfast Club ones, and one was good- the other was tolerable. And that’s all I’ve read so far. I think I liked the set up of the website more that I like looking for things on Ao3.

Sadly, I think my recs probably require canon knowledge, but hey! If you know them!

Cute Abbot Elementary fic, meet me at the mall [link]

SMOKING HOT Do Revenge femslash, orgasm mommy [link]

Severance gen r/severed [link] (make sure to have the creator's skin on for this one)

Not a lot else to rec yet, but I haven't done a lot of digging into the collection.