Fic Clique

90: “Poised to Absorb Homoerotic Media”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Everything About It Is a Love Song," by pocky_slash (X-Men First Class) @10:56, "i am here like there is sky and there is air," by Lauren (Welcome to Nightvale) @37:28, and "The End of All Things," by Telanu (Devil Wears Prada) @1:04:29.

While we don't quite tell the youths to get off our lawn in this episode, we have put a spotlight on older characters! These authors explored characters later in life; and we explored what one is willing to give up to be happy, the vastness of the universe, and an excellent example of tension and dread woven through a fic.

89: “Reverse U-Hauling”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "on that dizzy edge," by littledata (Warrior Nun) @17:14, "Applied Heresy," by Kaesa (His Dark Materials) @44:27, and "A Country Mile," by bropunzeling (England Series - K.J. Charles) @1:12:38. 

This unintentionally themed episode is all about WOMEN!! It's also about what makes a friends to lovers arc satisfying, morally flawed yet still compelling protagonists, and how to play off reader expectations within a genre. 

88: FYC: Rubicon

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Rubicon," by merionettes (FE3H).

Ficlets, have you readied your hearts and minds to consider the epics highs and lows of professional ice dancing? If you haven't, now's the time to get on board with our latest addition to the For Your Consideration series! This hearty sports AU builds its rich world with questions about identity and self worth, deep and varied friendships, and a too-real stan twitter presence.

Alternate titles include: "Harnessing His Natural Ennui," "I Have Some Conception of What a Twizzle Is," and "Slam Dunked Me into the Court"

87: “I Need a Biased Librarian”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "A Needle, A Thread," by jibrailis (Queen's Thief) @14:24, "r/severed," by curtaincall (Severance) @40:05, and "Ten Degrees Below Zero," by kianspo (Star Trek: AoS) @1:06:08. 

This episode promises gourd-shredding conversations about extraordinary moments in ordinary lives, stories built around the things you can't talk about, and the satisfaction of a well-plotted mystery. 

86: “Man's Best Friend Is Car”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Victory Lane," by astolat (Fast & Furious) @16:03, "all to play for," by linearity (F1 RPF) @44:22, and "Millstone: Director's Cut," by jolach (RTAH RPF) @1:17:34.

In the spirit of Valentine's Day and with love on our mind, your hosts came together with one unifying theme: fast cars. Yes there's also discussion about trope executions alongside romance in plot-heavy fics, but mostly we're here for the cars. 

85: “Be Hot, Get Caught”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "the place where cities and starscapes collide," by jublis (Jujustu Kaisen) @17:20, "just what i needed, too," by beethechange (BFU RPF) @45:03, and "The Blues Run the Game," by coyotesuspect (Hustlers Movie) @1:11:49.

Fanfiction is often know for its happy endings, but what if everything wasn't wrapped up so neatly? For Nic's birthday episode we take a look at open & ambiguous endings, and specifically how the intersection of meta and fic narratives can shape our understandings of those endings.

84: “Hoist Ya Flags”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "you'll never see the end of the road (while you're travelling with me)," by Eirwyn (Critical Role C1) @23:09, "The Polyphonic Tides of Revolution," by defractum (Les Mis) @47:56, and "we must unlearn the constellations to see the stars," by lacecat (Black Sails) @1:14:54.

Weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen ye scallywags, we're off to sail the seas for Brenna's birthday! This episode is for seasoned sailors and landlubbers alike as we plunder the varied treasures that pirate narratives can hold, from allegories about queerness & monstrosity, to what stories we tell ourselves and others about who we are.

Minisode: 2023 Year in Review

The end of the year brings with it yet another Year in Review minisode! We reflect on life changes we experienced in 2023, favorite media moments both fandom and not, and some fic higlights from this past year of Fic Clique. We also talk about hostile living environments, takes that might get us cancelled, and a ficlet potentially living in our walls. We hope this minisode finds you well, and we'll see you in the new year! 

Alternate titles include: "My Old Woman Energy," "Fun Fresh New Horrors," and "It's Worse Than The Onceler" 

83: “The Poorest Little Meow Meow on the Grid”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "sacrificial lamb (self-proclaimed)," by flemeth (Locked Tomb) @10:12, "voyages," by junos (SVT RPF) @36:14, and "leave no space," by linearity (Formula 1 RPF) @1:05:01.

It's that time of year again where your hosts gather 'round and swap fic recs! While we always enjoy our host rec exchange, we think we really knocked it out of the park this year. If you enjoy the community efforts of fandom, AUs as a vehicle for character study, or how the burden of legacy can weigh on someone, you'll love this episode too.

82: “The One and Only Voice of Pastiche”

In this episode, your hosts discuss "Honey and Wounds," by earlybloomingparentheses (Sherlock Holmes) @11:39, "they will us waving from such great heists," by laiqualaurelote (Ted Lasso) @37:54, and "la petite mort," by howlingmoonrise (Barbie, Dracula) @1:03:22.

With a range of fanfictions for you to enjoy this episode, our topics include reconciling different versions of someone across a lifetime, the absolute joy of perfectly executed tropes, and the various natures of immortality.