5 Published Books That Started as Fanfiction (Plus 3 Transformative Retellings You’ll Love)
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Do you read fanfic? If so, have you ever had the thought, “Wow, this is so good it could be published as a regular book”? Because same. And the funny thing is… some of them actually were.
Yes, books that started as fanfiction are very real. Fanfiction has been part of internet culture for decades, but over the last 10–15 years it has unexpectedly become a gateway to traditional publishing. While not every book with “fanfic vibes” truly began in fandom spaces, several well-known titles did start life as documented, online fanfiction — and their success says a lot about how online writing communities shape modern reading trends.
Below, you’ll find confirmed fanfiction-to-book cases — authors who rewrote their stories, filed off the serial numbers, and turned them into published novels. After that, I’ve added a short bonus section with books that aren’t fanfiction but do function as transformative reimaginings of earlier works. They deserve a mention, but remember: these are retellings, not fanfic in origin.
Books That Actually Started as Fanfiction
These books have clear, documented fanfic origins. No guesses, no rumors—just facts.
1. Fifty Shades of Grey by E. L. James
Origin: Twilight (Bella/Edward AU)
Probably the most (in)famous example of fanfic-turned-bestseller. James originally posted it as Master of the Universe before revising it into an original romance. Whether you love it or hate it, the trilogy changed how publishers view online readership and reshaped the contemporary romance market.
Buy it on Amazon
2. After by Anna Todd
Origin: One Direction RPF (Harry Styles)
Written on Wattpad as a college AU centered on Harry Styles, After exploded in popularity. It was later edited into an original novel and became a full series with multiple film adaptations. It remains one of the clearest examples of fandom launching a commercial author’s career.
Buy it on Amazon
3. Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard
Origin: Twilight
Once posted as The University of Edward Masen, this story was rewritten into the romance trilogy readers know today. While the names and some details changed, the emotional structure stays recognizably close to its fanfic roots.
Buy it on Amazon
4. The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Origin: Star Wars (Reylo)
Originally a Rey/Kylo Ren fanfic, later reworked into a STEM romcom with original characters. It kept the core dynamic—tiny, anxious scientist meets tall, brooding academic—and became a huge romance hit.
Buy it on Amazon
5. Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren
Origin: Twilight
Starting as a viral Twilight fanfic titled The Office, this story was rewritten and published as a steamy workplace enemies-to-lovers romance that launched an entire series.
Buy it on Amazon
Bonus: Transformative Retellings (Not Fanfiction, But Definitely Reimagined)
These books did not originate as fanfic, but they’re clear reimaginings of earlier works. Think of them as literary transformations—same emotional lineage, different execution.
6. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Inspired by: Persuasion by Jane Austen
A sci-fi retelling with familiar themes of regret, class, and second chances. The storyline mirrors Austen, but the setting reinvents the narrative completely.
Buy it on Amazon
7. The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Inspired by: The Odyssey
Part of the Canongate myth series, this novella retells Penelope’s story through a modern, feminist lens.
Buy it on Amazon
8. A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Inspired by: The Iliad
A multi-perspective Trojan War retelling that centers the women usually sidelined in classical epics. While it feels like transformative fan work at times, it was written directly as an original novel.
Buy it on Amazon
Final Thoughts
There’s something endlessly fascinating about the fanfic-to-book pipeline. Personally, I’m even more drawn to retellings and reimaginings — whether they come from classic novels or mythologies from across the world.
What about you? Do you think this trend is refreshing, lazy, exciting, or something in between? Just remember: no fighting in the comments.
If you want something less controversial, you can check out my thoughts on spicy books here, or read about how to build your own comfort book collection.
Thanks for reading, and as always — see you in the next one. Bye!
