The Rec Center #27
We’re acutely aware that this is the third time in a month that we’ve had to begin a newsletter talking about (extremely) painful news, offering this up as a distraction. We know for some people, fandom is the last thing they want to think about in times like this. But for others, even a few minutes of distraction and levity can be vital. If you fall into the former camp, stay safe and well, and these newsletters will still be here when you want them. If you fall in the latter camp, we’ve got those distractions—*very* welcome news from the Star Trek universe, discourse around magic in North America, and a K-pop fic list from guest contributor Blindmouse. — Elizabeth & Gav
new stuff
“Dear JK Rowling: We’re Still Here” by Loralee Sepsey at Natives in America
A few months back Native Americans spoke out against JKR/Pottermore’s “history of magic in North America,” but the new story about the founding of Ivermorny, the American wizarding school, doubles down on appropriation, whitewashing, and colonialist narratives. This piece, by a Native American who’s been a diehard HP fan for years, is an extraordinary response.
“How Would You Be Sorted At Eaglecrest, The American Wizarding School I Made Up?” by Sashayed at Buzzfeed
If you actually want an American wizarding school but want nothing to do with Ivermorny, HP fandom hero Sashayed has thought of a far more appropriate one: EAGLECREST, run by Headbroster Joe Biden. Sort yourself, and check out the backstory here.
“‘Star Trek Beyond’ confirms that Hikaru Sulu is gay” by Gav at The Daily Dot
Surely the best geek news of the week!
“How fanartist Kaitlin Wadley subverts the male gaze with portraits of Bucky Barnes” by Gav at The Daily Dot
Some of you are sure to recognize the work of Kaitlin Wadley, AKA dorkbait, who does incredible portraits of characters from the MCU, Hannibal, and a handful of other fandoms. She’s publishing a book of Marvel fanart (mostly Bucky Barnes), and Gav interviewed her about her ~creative process~ and how she uses superhero fanart to subvert the male gaze.
old(er) stuff
“How to BNF without Tears” by Walter A. Willis from BEM #1, 1954
Elizabeth is rooming with friend and fellow fandom journalist Aja Romano at Leviosa right now, and she asked for any “older articles about fandom,” and Aja DELIVERED with a ~hilarious~ one from ancient fandom past. His advice if you think you are a Really Big Deal and want to go to a con? “If you feel you must go wear a false beard.”
tumblr and beyond
“Formerly Known As No One (Women of Star Wars)” a fantastic vid by pixiedane.
In other Star wars ~content~, JUST the right music on this clip.
Mad Max: Fieri Road
fanfiction
blindmouse, who’s been fandom hopping since 2006, and is currently hanging out in K-pop fandom, and can be found at blindmouse.tumblr.com.
BTS are a 7-member Korean boy band, or idol group. Their full name is Bangtan Sonyeondan and their official English name is Bangtan Boys. As a super-quick intro to both their performance and their off-stage ridiculousness, check out this muck-up version of a dance practice for one of their songs. For a much less brief and 3000% less chill overview, I wrote a primer not long ago!
The fandom took off last year, especially internationally, and it’s currently the biggest K-pop fandom on AO3 and Tumblr. There are a few super-popular ships, but there's such clear affection between all 7 members of the group that the fandom is very multi-shippy, and these recs will be too. People tend to refer to the members by stage names and real names interchangeably, but I’ll stick to real names in the recs, for simplicity. — blindmouse
“Out on a Limb” by madigraye. 2.5K words, rated Teen.
Ship: Jimin/Taehyung
This is a delightful AU in which Taehyung wakes up in a tree after a night out. It’s a meet-cute, but it also manages to tap into something of the easy soulmate-BFFs vibe Jimin and Taehyung have going on.
“Think Tidy” by nivo. 2.1K words, rated Gen.
Ship: Hoseok/Yoongi
Hoseok is sunny and sensitive and over-the-top, and Yoongi is his opposite in a lot of ways. This is a university roommate AU, told with a very light touch—mostly dialogue, but it works. nivo’s characterisation is always outstanding: unsentimental but achingly affectionate. And the reveal at the end is folded in just so deftly and sweetly.
“Late Morning, Early Noon” by countingpaths. 1.1K words, rated Gen.
Ship: Jimin/Jungkook
This is a little established relationship canon ficlet, in which Jungkook is bad at mornings and Jimin is warm and cuddlable and on the couch. It’s cute and sweet and warm, and I reread it on the regular.
“Team Up” by staygame. 8.1K words, rated Teen.
Ship: Hoseok/Taehyung
In which Taehyung joins an intramural football team because the guy at the recruitment table smiles at him. This is a super-charming university AU with a pretty delightful ensemble, including fun cameos from Girl’s Day.
“Wicked” by Siobhandestele. 3.2K words, rated Explicit.
Ship: Hoseok/Jimin/Taehyung
This fic is a threeway hookup in a bathroom while Taehyung’s wearing a ladybug princess outfit for Halloween, and it doesn’t have any resolution besides the obvious one, but it’s great: hot and with such a richly textured kind of tactility to it. Plus the voices are really fun.
“BTS: And then the flowers said” by ppphonology. 26K words, rated Gen.
Ship: Seokjin/Yoongi
This is a garden fairy/human AU. That makes it sound kind of twee, but it’s really not, it’s the loveliest thing—all gentle prickly shenanigans and the best use of the ensemble. The background Jimin/Taehyung is especially wonderful. I fell in love with this fic from the first lines.
FINAL THOUGHT
As promised, we’ve created a submissions form for one-off recs! Check it out here. We’re not sure this is the ideal solution for soliciting random stories, but it’s a bit more organized than asking everyone to email us, so we’ll try it out and see how it works. As always, if you’re interested in doing a full list, either single- or multi-fandom, please send us a message or an email!
FINAL FINAL THOUGHT
If anyone is at Leviosa in Las Vegas, come find Elizabeth! At any one of these five panels/roundtables or just wandering the halls in confusion.
If you liked this, please share it with your friends! https://thereccenter.substack.com/. And find us on social media: Gav (twitter/tumblr) & Elizabeth (twitter/tumblr)