The journal collects essays, articles, book reviews, and shorter pieces that concern fandom, fanworks, and fan practices.

[1][2] According to Humanities, Arts, Science and Technology Alliance and Collaboratory (HASTAC), the journal "supports the [Organization for Transformative Works's] mission to promote the legitimacy and sustainability of non-commercial fan creativity by providing a forum for innovative criticism in fan studies, broadly conceived.

[4][5] It covers "popular media, fan communities, and transformative works".

[6] A number of noted fan and media scholars sit on the journal's board, such as Henry Jenkins, Busse, Hellekson, Francesca Coppa, Paul Booth, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Jason Mittell, and Rebecca Tushnet, among others.

[9] Via a number of articles, the journal has had a hand in helping to spread Jenkins, Sam Ford, and Joshua Green's idea of "spreadable media".