HALIFAX, NS— In the midst of an ever-expanding STEM job market, the value of an arts degree has diminished in the eyes of the general public. However, for students like English major Avery Gilesbie, an arts degree is worth far more than anything a future job could give them. For Gilesbie specifically, her four-year degree has given her the skills to spend her unemployed days writing exceptional fan fiction.
“Reading and writing fan fiction has been a passion of mine since I was very young,” Gilesbie told The Mackerel. “I remember sneaking onto my parents’ computer to post self-insert stories about being sold to One Direction. I think this is really what sparked my love for literature.”
Now with a BA in English Literature under her belt, Gilesbie has practice in formal and creative writing and a wealth of knowledge about significant authors and texts through time.
“Honestly, I’ve learned that I’m not that weird. Most important stories are fan fiction, usually about the Bible. So what if mine stray into erotica territory? I’m sure Dante would’ve written that too if he lived today.”
Over the course of her literary journey, Gilesbie’s fan fictions have amassed a cult internet following, with some stories receiving tens of thousands of views, likes and comments on a range of fan fiction websites.
“Although I have no money for food, I have the validation from thousands of strangers on the internet,” Gilesbie said. “It’s honestly more fulfilling anyway.”
While fulfilled, Gilesbie has not given up hope for eventual employment.
“I seem to be good enough at this fan fiction thing, I’m sure I can profit off of it one day. Now that Mickey Mouse is public domain maybe I can publish my steamy MickeyxDracula novel. I know there’s a market for that.”
Gilesbie expressed that while her time studying English has helped her develop and strengthen her craft, it is shockingly not transmissible to the workplace. She now lives out of her parents’ basement, networking on Tumblr rather than LinkedIn.
By Lauren Sooksom