Exploring the Fan Community
The ASOIAF fandom is one of the most passionate and creative online. This is your guide to engaging with the wider community.
A Beginner’s Guide to Fanfiction
The world of fanfiction can be intimidating. It’s a space where fans write their own stories using the characters and settings from their favorite media. We explain the common tropes and terms (like ‘Canon-Divergence’, where a story branches off from a key moment, or ‘SI/OC’, where a self-insert or original character is added to the world). We recommend some of the best places to start reading, including Archive of Our Own (AO3) and FanFiction.Net, which host hundreds of thousands of ASOIAF stories.
Major Conventions
For those looking to meet fellow fans in person, several conventions have become hubs for the ASOIAF community. While any major Comic-Con will have a presence, some are especially noteworthy:
- Con of Thrones: The premier convention specifically for fans of ASOIAF and Game of Thrones. It features panels, workshops, and meetups with cast, crew, and community figures.
- Ice & Fire Con: A smaller, more intimate convention focused on the book series. It’s known for its welcoming community, themed activities, and in-depth lore discussions.
Online Communities
The online fandom is active 24/7. These are some of the best places to find discussion, news, and fan art:
- r/asoiaf on Reddit: A massive subreddit dedicated to deep analysis and discussion of the book series. A great place for theory-crafting.
- r/PureASOIAF on Reddit: A stricter subreddit for book-only discussion, completely free of show spoilers or comparisons.
- Westeros.org: One of the oldest and most respected fan sites, featuring forums, news, and a comprehensive wiki.
- Tumblr & X (Twitter): Major hubs for fan art, edits, and real-time discussion, especially when new content is released. Use hashtags like #asoiaf and #houseofthedragon to find content.
Community Recommendations
Here is a curated list of excellent fan-run websites, podcasts, and other resources. These are some of the pillars of the online ASOIAF community that have fostered discussion and analysis for years.
Websites
- Westeros.org
The longest-running ASOIAF fan site, featuring news, forums, and a massive wiki.
- Specifically, their So Spake Martin
A searchable archive of George R.R. Martin’s interviews, readings, and correspondence.
- George R.R. Martin’s website
The official source for news and updates from the author himself.
- George R.R. Martin’s blog (“Not a Blog”)
GRRM’s personal blog, where he discusses everything from ASOIAF to football.
- Tower of the Hand
Offers chapter summaries, character profiles, and essays with a customizable scope system to avoid spoilers.
- Watchers on the Wall
A premier source for news about Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and other adaptations.
Tumblrs
- ASOIAF University
A collection of in-depth meta-analysis and thematic essays about the book series.
- Pre-Game of Thrones
Focuses on the art, characters, and lore of the ASOIAF world before the show.
- Nobody Suspects the Butterfly
A popular blog for humorous takes, fan theories, and social commentary on the fandom.
Podcasts
- Radio Westeros
Deep-dive episodes analyzing characters, themes, and events from the books with a highly polished, thematic approach.
- Boiled Leather Audio Hour
Thoughtful analysis and discussion from writers Sean T. Collins and Stefan Sasse.
- A Podcast of Ice and Fire
One of the first ASOIAF podcasts, offering news, reviews, and community discussion.