“embarrassing, terrible early work”

Around 1994 Ms. Novik began writing fan fiction, stories based on the characters of other writers. She called it “embarrassing, terrible early work” that could not be published — thankfully, she said — because it would be tantamount to copyright infringement on other authors’ characters.

This is the only true statement that can be made from this sort of thing. Sooner or later you write your own and see what can happen. I don't do dragons but this is the path for those who do. Knocking out one in two months is another matter.