The Rec Center #144
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, that was… yet another week. If you’re looking for some distraction, we have some of Gav’s finest work ever (she had, as placeholder in this document, the words “Venom monsterfucker article,” and it was beautiful), plus a multifandom collection of looooong fic, 100K+ words, many of them several times that length, in case you would like to dive into something and not emerge… for the rest of the weekend…. — Elizabeth
new stuff
“The horny history of Marvel’s Venom” by Gav at the Daily Dot
“Conceptually speaking, Venom is a collection of monster erotica tropes.”
A look at the ~sexy subtext of the Venom comics, and how that plays into the new movie’s popularity among monsterfuckers.
“Doctor Who’s New Era Has Been a Long Time Coming” by Mo Ryan at TV Guide
The cast, the writers, and fans talk about where the show has been—and where it needs to go—as Jodie Whittaker makes her debut as the Doctor this weekend.
“‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Negative Buzz Amplified by Russian Trolls, Study Finds” by Graeme McMillan at The Hollywood Reporter
There’s a lot to dig into—and potentially critique—in this research, but an interesting (uh, troubling) study about the intersections of politics and fandom on social media.
older stuff
“The State of Fandom Studies 2018” by Henry Jenkins
There was some chatter on Twitter this week about how frustrating it is that Jenkins, who’s been a major voice in fan studies for decades, sometimes feels like the only person quoted or cited on the subject. Ironic, when you consider how often he literally passes the mic! This series, from earlier this year, features dozens of incredibly smart fan studies scholars talking about the discipline, and about fandom itself. — Elizabeth
tumblr & beyond
This screencap seems like it will come in useful.
“I headcanon that tom riddle was in the same orphanage as stewart little”
As a staunch defender of the Orion girls in Star Trek, this hits too close to home.
An extensive thread detailing the wildly OTT things people do for fanfic research purposes.
“this video is what dnd feels like”
fanfiction
You know how sometimes it’s past midnight and you’re like, sure, 200K words, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ sign me up, why the hell not, and then you realize that’s the equivalent of like, several traditionally published novels, and then the sun is coming up and you’re questioning your life choices, and man, I sound like one of those ~relatable fandom tumblr posts~ right now, ANYWAY, long fic! It seemed like the moment for it. These are all more than 100K words, and all marked complete, for the WIP-phobic among us. Thank you to all of our guest reccers. <3 — Elziabeth
“Love is All You Need to Destroy Your Enemies” by shadydave. 225K words, rated Teen.
Fandoms: Welcome to Night Vale / The Dresden Files; Ship: Carlos Ramirez/Cecil Palmer
Recced by: anon
Backstory: There are a few things that Carlos may have neglected to tell Cecil.
Like his last name.
Or how he hasn’t actually dated anyone since his junior year of high school.
Or that he’s a wizard of the White Council and the regional commander of Wardens in the western United States and not, in fact, a scientist.
You know. Minor details.
Rec: Not only does this series blend the two original sources together perfectly, it does it so well that I can no longer separate the two in my head. The story is smart, funny, deftly written and will kill you with feelings. It’s amazing.
Content warnings: N/A
“Blackbird” by sixpences. 103K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Yuri on Ice; Ship: Viktor/Yuuri
Recced by: Latte
Backstory: While Viktor and Yuuri being (totally, undeniably) canon guarantees a lot of canon-compliant fluffy fics, there are only a few things better than a thoroughly-researched and meticulously-written historical angsty spy story that spans from World War II well into the Cold War. And, of course, against all odds, Viktor and Yuuri always find each other.
Rec: The prose is perfect and would most probably make you at LEAST tear up, even if you’re not familiar with Yuri on Ice. Additionally, the author’s months of research through books, movies, documentaries, etc really shows through with the atmospheric setting of that era. (P.S. the author has a lot of HCs for in-universe characters and additional ficlets in their tumblr!)
Content warning: Mentions the Holocaust
“Times Like These” by anthfan. 174K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Arrow; Ship: Oliver Queen/Felicity Smoak
Recced by: Jen
Backstory: Set in season 2. A man from Felicity’s past she never thought she’d see again suddenly appears in Starling City, bringing with him memories she’d rather keep forgotten, and a new threat.
Rec: This was the fic that got me into fanfic!
Content warnings: N/A
“these strange steps” by thememoriesfire. 273K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Glee; Ship: Rachel/Quinn
Recced by: Set
Backstory: Quinn is working her way through grad school as a stripper, Rachel is a nearly-washed-up Broadway star singing in Vegas. Together, they stumble their way into a relationship and figure out adulthood.
Rec: This is maybe the realest description of trying to put your life back together after anxiety and depression have taken it away from you I’ve ever read, and I will treasure it forever for that.
Content warnings: drug and alcohol abuse, depictions of anxiety and panic attacks, slurs about strippers
“Slipstream” by Cheshirecatstrut. 394K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Veronica Mars; Ship: Veronica/Logan
Recced by: Mary
Backstory: Veronica goes back in time, thinking she’s in a dream, and decides to be more red satin. She finds herself dragged between present and pasts of her own creation as she tries to right wrongs and make her way back to Logan.
Rec: VMars has so much pain and loss in it, and the author does a great job examining what would happen if things could be changed, but Veronica herself always knows what she’s lost. Characterization on point, well-managed timeliness, and mysteries you want the answer to.
Content warnings: Sexual assault, character death, drug use
“Swung by Serafim” by flamethrower. 352K words, rated Mature.
Fandom: Harry Potter; Ship: Gen
Recced by: sainatsukino
Backstory: “In 1993, Gilderoy Lockhart points a stolen wand at Harry Potter and Ron Weasley with the intent to Obliviate them. The wand doesn’t backfire. Gilderoy’s ‘discovery’ of the Chamber of Secrets is a short-term success. Other consequences are not short-term at all.” Harry remembers his parent’s deaths... and nothing afterwards until the end of his second year of school.
Rec: Flamethrower is an exceptionally good author, for storytelling, world-building, and characterization. She really digs into the internal logic of a universe, fixing stuff that doesn’t make any sense in canon. ‘’m so happy that she happened upon the Harry Potter universe. This story is probably better than canon tbh. It’s also Snape POV, and she somehow manages to work miracles with a very controversial character.
Content warnings: Mentions of torture, discussion of past child abuse, war, major character death, science applied to potion making
FINAL THOUGHT
PSA for Star Trek fans: Discovery is releasing a series of 15-minute shorts, and the first one came out last night! It stars Ensign Tilly and it’s v cute; recommended. (And next month’s episode stars Aldis Hodge, for all you Leverage fans out there.) — Gav
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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