However unlike fan fiction, 'overviews' summarising their story, written early in the writing process, were 'approved' by both Fox and Joss Whedon (or his office), and were therefore later published as officially Buffy or Angel merchandise (see main article for details).
The episode guides include synopses, lines from the shooting scripts that were deleted, biographies, interviews, music listings, monster listings, special notes, pictures, quotes, and much behind-the-scenes information.
Keith Topping has written several unofficial guide books to television series such as The X Files, The Avengers, The Sweeney and The Professionals.
The style of the guides analytically studies each episode in categories, drawing attention to things which may otherwise have not been noticed by viewers.
The first edition of Slayer was released in the UK in December 1999, and offered a guide to the first three seasons of Buffy.
The book has undergone numerous editions, the most recent of which, Complete Slayer includes information on all seven seasons of Buffy.
Features a history of the show, a section profiling the best websites, a look at Buffy and Angel's recognition in academic circles, behind-the-scenes information.
The contents of the magazine issues listed below are intended as a general reference and are not exhaustive.