The Rec Center #127
Hi folks! This week we’re back with more “That One Fic” recs, featuring fanfic that readers deem ~the ultimate starting place~ in their favorite fandoms. Plus, a podcast about the Johnlock Conspiracy, some wonderful Enfys Nest fanart, an accurate (and unfortunately ridiculous) translation of the Winter Soldier’s Russian codewords in Civil War, and more. — Gav
new stuff
“People in Positions of Power Need to Help Shut Down Vitriolic Fan Behavior” by Charles Pulliam-Moore at io9
There’s *a lot* to unpack in light of the conversations around the Star Wars fandom (and fandom at large) this past week. While fan attitudes differ around how much creators/rights holders should be involved in fan activity, this makes a good case for creator intervention around racist and sexist fan behavior.
There’s a Zelda: Breath of the Wild fanmade recipe book!
“Decoder Ring: The Johnlock Conspiracy” by Willa Paskin at Slate
Elizabeth was interviewed about shipping for this podcast episode, though not about the main topics at hand: Sherlock (and the Holmes fandom over the past century), TJLC, and all the thorny fan/creator interaction wrapped up in that. It approaches the topic with sensitivity that most non-fandom journalists rarely attempt—highly recommended.
older stuff
Race and Fandom: Part 1 and Part 2 from Fansplaining
In light of the many conversations around fandom racism and Star Wars over the past week, I wanted to recommend a big double episode we did two years ago on the same topics. I also strongly recommend checking out the work of all the fans of color we spoke with for the episodes, linked to in the show notes. — Elizabeth
tumblr & beyond
Enfys Nest fanart by zyung0 (click through for more!)
“Kind of ironic that we’re all haunted by Supernatural.”
We love the #FanartforRose hashtag on Twitter—fanartists have spent the past week creating some wonderful stuff.
“Sirius and Regulus are both convinced they’re the good brother.”
Can we please revisit the (ridiculous) accurate Russian translation of the Winter Soldier’s poignantly meaningful activation codewords in Captain America: Civil War.
fanfiction
Well! We’ve already done three “that one fic” lists (part 1, part 2, and part 3) and we’ve still got plenty in our submissions box for future lists. If you haven’t yet recced ‘that one fic that you would share with someone joining a fandom,’ please send them our way. We’re especially looking for more f/f, gen fic, and fics that center characters of color! And thanks, as always, to everyone who submitted recs for this week’s list. — Elizabeth
“Exit Strategy” by JoMarch and RyoSen. 92K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: The West Wing; Ship: Josh/Donna
Recced by: earlgreytea68
Backstory: In the banter-heavy Bartlet White House, Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman and his assistant Donna Moss set a special gold standard. It’s one of those ships where they snark at each other with endless fondness and always have each other’s backs and sometimes they have these golden crystalline moments of heart-pitter-patter adoration.
Rec: JoMarch and RyoSen were literally THE FIRST fic writers I *ever* read, so they’re perfect for “That One Fic,” as they were my gateway drug to the entire genre. Sorkin fandoms can be challenging to write in and they nail the banter while expanding the POV and giving Josh and Donna a lovely, long, believable relationship journey. It’s the perfect encapsulation of what fic should do: give you what the canon cheated you out of.
Content warnings: N/A
“hope is the thing with feathers” by ShanaStoryteller. 29K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: Teen Wolf; Ship: Derek/Stiles pre-slash
Recced by: Gryvon
Backstory: Stiles is ten when he saves the Hales from their burning home and Derek from a wolfsbane bullet, and this establishes a pattern that seem to continue indefinitely.
Rec: Magic!Stiles with wonderful teenage drama and impossible things.
Content warnings: N/A
“so you were never a saint.” by paperclipbitch. 12K words, rated Teen.
Fandom: James Bond; Ship: Gen
Recced by: Kay Taylor Rea
Backstory: “I think Bond’s trying to be your friend,” Eve tells him.
“…well,” Q says slowly, “this is a new and disturbing development.”
Rec: In which Q and 007 accidentally becomes friends in a charming and hilarious post-Skyfall gen friendship story.
Content warnings: N/A
“The Girlfriend Experience” by rageprufrock. 15K words, rated Explicit.
Fandom: Supernatural; Ship: Dean/Cas
Recced by: Kitty August
Backstory: Dean decides to teach Cas about sex, then feelings get involved and it gets complicated. Self-discovery and sexual awakening. Canon-verse.
Rec: The dialogue, the characterisation, and the world that Pru builds here are all great. It’s an excellent entry point into this mega-ship, and it’s canon-verse unlike some of the other super-popular “must read” fics for this ship. It’s also sexy, sweet, and a little bit complicated—which is the best kind of fic.
Content warnings: Sex work
“Letters from the Northern Continent” by Hoyden. 9K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Star Trek: Deep Space 9; Ship: Garak/Bashir
Recced by: Gryvon
Backstory: Set post-series, this story explores the cleanup of Cardassia and the ship that was almost canon.
Rec: The relationship develops so naturally. It’s almost haunting to read.
Content warnings: N/A
FINAL THOUGHT
In honor of the unparalleled Anthony Bourdain, Flourish has written up a rec for a fandom classic:
“No Reservations: Narnia” by edonohana. 6K words, rated Teen.
Fandoms: Narnia and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations; Ship: Gen
Recced by: Flourish
Backstory: Anthony Bourdain was a TV personality chef who ate his way around the world, giving honest commentary on what he finds. In this story, he’s very excited to get to travel to a place he’s never been before—Narnia.
Rec: In the wake of Anthony Bourdain’s death, it seems appropriate to reread this wonderful story. It captures Narnia from a very adult perspective—but it made me feel the magic of the world as though I were a child again. But, I mean, also, if you aren’t sold when I say “Reepicheep challenges a human to a drinking contest and wins,”" or “Anthony Bourdain does not like Marshwiggle cuisine but he does respect it,” I’m not sure we can be friends.
Content warnings: N/A
Have a favorite one-off rec? Please send it our way! We’ll use it in a future list. Other fanworks—comics, vids, etc—are strongly encouraged as well. And if you have any interest in doing an entire rec list, explainer, or ship manifesto, please get in touch! elizabethandgav at gmail dot com.
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