 Additionally, the author includes plot lines that although aren’t personal, he deems worthy of discussion.Although he has stated that he has not experienced issues with gender identity himself, Colfer conducted extensive research on GLAAD websites, consulted friends, and hired sensitivity readers while writing the character Sam Gibson, a transgender protagonist in the novel.The author explains that one of the central messages underlying "Stranger Than Fanfiction" is that “there's nothing wrong with trying to be a better, more authentic version of yourself”.