While it’s true that fan fiction has shed some of its stigma in recent years, far from every #fanfic reader or writer is eager to now go public with their hobby. Case in point: Almost all of the fanfic writers and readers brookelamantia interviewed for this story requested anonymity, citing fears of judgement, doxxing, or even job loss. One woman would only speak with her if they met in person and outdoors. Above and at the link in bio, some of fan fiction's biggest supporters share their feelings about the genre's modern moment — and how they’re considering their own relationships with the online space. This story is part of ‘Full Steam Ahead,’ our weeklong series celebrating (and analyzing) the spicy stories we love.