☝️ TLDR: One Nickelodeon show inspired more words written for free than some famous authors have written for money during their entire career

When you think of the longest works of literature, you might picture massive novels like War and Peace or In Search of Lost Time. But, surprisingly, what is the longest piece of literature? It turns out it’s not a classic at all — it’s a fanfiction!

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what is the longest piece of literature

Fanfiction, or fanfic, is a genre of writing where fans create new stories based on existing characters and settings from books and other media. These stories are written for fun and shared online by fans for fans, always for free due to copyright issues. They allow fans to dive deeper into the worlds they love or explore new “what if” scenarios with their favorite characters – and fix things that the canon ruined with its pesky plot!

fanfic - longest piece of literature

The current longest piece of literature is a Loud House fanfic called The Loud House: Revamped, and it’s a true marathon of storytelling. At over 16 million words, it’s far longer than any traditional novel and continues to grow as the author adds more chapters. This longest fanfic is a prime example of the dedication and creativity that fan writers bring to their work.

A*Helpful Fact: Weirdly, the Longest Piece of Literature is Not Written by One of the Classics!

But fanfiction isn’t the only long text around today. Modern epics like The Wheel of Time series and lengthy novels like In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust also rank high in word count, although they’re still dwarfed by The Loud House shenanigans. This fan-written work shows how creativity extends far beyond the need for profit!

📌 Fun Fact: I Am Groot

“I Am Groot” is a fanfiction story on Archive of Our Own (AO3) authored by sherlocksmyth. This work is notable for its unique narrative style, as it is written entirely from the perspective of Groot, a character from Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The story is characterized by its repetitive use of the phrase “I am Groot,” reflecting the character’s limited verbal expression. In, 2021, “I Am Groot” was recognized as the top fic on AO3, indicating its significant popularity within the community. The story has garnered over 154,000 kudos, reflecting its widespread appreciation among readers.

longest story

Long-winded series are good and all, but counting them feels like cheating, just a little. What are some of the longest standalone works ever published as single-volume novels?

📚Book Title🧑‍🏫Author🧮Word Count
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young LadySamuel Richardson~970,000
Poor Fellow My CountryXavier Herbert~850,000
Sironia, TexasMadison Cooper~840,000
Atlas ShruggedAyn Rand~645,000
Joseph and His BrothersThomas Mann~640,000

Source

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FAQ

What is the longest piece of literary fiction?

The longest piece of literary fiction is constantly debated, especially when fanfiction is included. Currently, a fanfiction titled The Loud House: Revamped holds the record for the longest piece of literature, exceeding 16 million words as of recent counts. Among published books, In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust is often cited as one of the longest novels with over 1.2 million words across seven volumes.

Is The Loud House: Revamped fanfic the longest piece of literature?

Yes, The Loud House: Revamped, a fanfiction based on the Loud House animated series, is considered the longest piece of literature, surpassing 16 million words and continuing to grow.

What is the longest genre of literature?

Epic poetry and sagas are among the longest literary genres historically, as they often include extensive narratives and rich world-building. In modern times, fantasy and science fiction genres frequently produce long works, especially in series format, due to authors building complex worlds and plots over multiple volumes.

What is the longest written story in human history?

The longest written story is currently The Loud House: Revamped, a fanfiction spanning over 16 million words. When considering traditional published literature, In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust is often recognized as one of the longest novels, while multi-volume epic sagas and series, such as The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, are also extensive by traditional standards.

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