Canon, fanon and additional material
Canon is what is considered an authoritative source - a TV show, a novel, a film etc. A canonical fact is something that without doubt occurs in the source material, but often canon is interpreted in a variety of ways.
Closed canon is a work where no more material is added, open canon is a work yet unfinished.
Fanon is an element, often a character trait, with little or no basis in canon that gets so widely spread in fandom that it ends up as a widely accepted part of the source material for fanworks. Sometimes fanon even becomes canon, when canon is still open and fanon elements eventually appear in the authoritative source.
But what do we call it when the creator of the source material, of a closed canon itself, makes statements about backstory or character traits that were not included in the source material?
I would argue that it’s not canon, since in my opinion a closed canon is a fixed measure of original source material, but you may disagree. However, if you buy that premise (if only for the time it takes you to read this post), you will probably agree that there is no precise, established term for additional material from the creator.
Even if you disagree with me you may want a specific label for that material nonetheless, so.
I propose that we adopt this term:
Joanon (noun) - additional source material added to a closed canon by the creator(s).
Origin: the creator of Harry Potter, Joanne (JK) Rowling, became infamous for adding to and changing closed canon material. For instance, she stated in a Pottermore exclusive that wizards didn’t have toilets until the 18th century. Before that they would go wherever they were and use magic to clean up.
Example: “One of Julie Andem’s joanons, that Isak and Even move to Trondheim after graduation, has taken root in the SKAM fandom”
turnnoffyourmind
jacobvanloon
dededos
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