Daily Variety is reporting that

Daily Variety is reporting that Fandom will be shutting down it’s Web site and online operations to concentrate on its magazine and fan conventions, including it’s Harry Potter fan site which was bought from 13 year old Kate Cheney in July 2000.

Sci-fi, fantasy and horror entertainment venture Fandom said Monday that it will shut down its online operations and concentrate on its magazine Cinescape and fan convention organizer Creation Entertainment. The shutdown is being blamed on market instability and funding difficulties.

Move means the closure of 21 fan sites centering on properties including the X-Men, Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as e-commerce site FandomShop and FandomAuctions, which offer collectibles and memorabilia from movie sets.

The company only launched FandomAuctions.com late last year and FandomShop after buying e-tailer Another Universe. Layoffs are likely and would follow the pinkslipping of 37 staffers in January.

“For the last three months we have had productive meetings and a series of opportunities to take Fandom to the next level, but the depressed marketplace has forced many companies to close, especially online companies,” said Debra Streicker-Fine, who joined Santa Monica-based Fandom as CEO in January, when founder Mark Young ankled the venture.