The birth of a contemporary myth : fan fiction as a myth-making practice accompanying the Harry Potter phenomenon

The aim of this article is to show fan writing as a practice that transforms a pop culture text into a myth using the example of Harry Potter phenomenon. According to Véronique Gély, a myth is made by the audience; it is a story that elicits strong emotional response, becoming a part of collective consciousness and inspires new creative work. Harry Potter became a myth because it is popular across the globe, it resonates with the audience, causing heated discussions and inspiring new art, a part of which is fan fiction, where the original story is retold, supplemented and modified to curate its readers’ needs.