Fic Clique: Recent Episodes
Fic Clique
We're three friends who love fanfic! Each episode Nicole, Brenna and Reid chat about their favorite fics, fandom, and do a whole lot of yelling along the way.
In this not-so-mini two-host minisode, Brenna and Reid explore one of their most beloved corners of Ao3: Astolat's Geralt/Emhyr Witcher works! Using a rubric we created from the foundational elements of this ship we analyze how each work functions to help craft the narrative of this rarepair we love so much.
Works discussed in this episode are all of Astolat's Geralt/Emhyr Witcher fics, which can be found in the compiled series on her Ao3 profile.
Alternate titles for this episode include: "Lock In or Turn Off the Pod," "She’s Ciri, He’s Just Ken," and "Struck With Lustful Longing"
3...2...1...Liftoff. We're rounding out this year's birthday episodes with one of Reid's favorite genres: space opera! With themes of language, sacrifice, and human connection, the backdrop of space provides a rich setting for us to play in.
Media discussed in this episode include:
- "Protostellar" by ninamonday (BTS RPF) — fanfiction
- "A Memory Called Empire" by Arkady Martine — novel
- "Project Hail Mary" — movie
- "The Deep Humanity of Project Hail Mary" by Rachel Kessler — essay on Reactor Mag
Ficlets, we don't know about you, but your hosts are having a Greek God Summer. Join us in this episode for a sweeping discussion of mythmaking, why we tell stories, and which ones have the most staying power. And also a surprisingly high amount of chatter about Hadestown for an episode that doesn't feature a Hadestown fic.
Works discussed in this episode:
- "seventy-five perpetual deaths for the underworld’s prince" by anonymousAlchemist (Hades Game)
- "Kore" by oneiriad (Greek and Roman Mythology)
- "It's a No-Regret Life" by anistar_e (kaikamahine) (Percy Jackson)
Hot off of our omegaverse episode, we jumped into another classic fandom mainstay: the trio of fandoms known (perhaps only to us) as SuperWolfLock — Supernatural, Teen Wolf, and Sherlock. If that wasn't enough of a uniting theme for you, these fics also have something else in common, and the prognosis is not looking good.
Join your hosts as we dive into fic about harrowing (sometimes terminal) illness, romance in dark times, and three classic fandoms where fic writers have been cooking up stories for years upon years.
Works discussed in this episode:
- "Alone On the Water" by Mad_Lorie (Sherlock)
- "Unbroken" by Piscaria (Teen Wolf)
- "deeper than all the roses" by kekinkawaii (Supernatural)
What's the smell in the air? Is it fresh coffee grounds, or the earth after rain? No, it's something a little... wolfier?
Ficlets, it's time to foray into the omegaverse! This episode looks at the trope from its inception to modern day, with our discussion examining the trope's worldbuilding, allegories of oppression, and lasting power in fanfiction spaces.
Works discussed in this episode:
- "burning (like a tire fire)" by brushedbymelancholy (Formula One RPF) — fanfiction
- "HeavenScent" by an incompletelist (Red, White, and Royal Blue) — fanfiction
- "I ain't no lady, but you'd be the tramp" by tehdirtiestsock (Supernatural RPF) — fanfiction
- "Alphas, Betas, and Omegas: A Primer" by norabombay — meta
- "The nonnies made them do it!" by netweight — meta
Put your listening ears on because it's time to learn about the wide world of audio works! In this episode your hosts and special guest of the pod Kassie talk about podfic history, fandom, and what goes into making an audio work. We also celebrate the joys of podfic's ultra supportive community, and highlight some events that intrepid podficcers old and new alike can get involved in. If you have a potato and a dream, you too could join this world.
Audio works discussed in this episode include:
- "Behind the Pod S1, Episode 4: New(ish) & Old(ish)," by Opalsong & arkadyevna
- "Here," by impersonal_villain & sallysparrow017 (The Raven Cycle)
- "Starting Playback," by blackglass, Cait_does_Podfics, coyotecrackers, edible_chemistry, olive2read, Ravin_Pods, & wjgravity (The Murderbot Diaries)
- "FAQ: The Goose Fight Portion of Your Thesis Defense - A Radio Show," by Voiceteam 2025 (Snake Fight Thesis Defense & Untitled Goose Game)
The blanket permission extension can be found here: https://github.com/BrickGrass/Blanket-Permission-Highlighter
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts invite you to saddle up and buckle in for a thrilling discussion of recommendation culture in fandom, including three fics we found through curated rec lists!
Dive with us into the history of reccing and the impact of The Algorithm TM on modern rec culture, setting work wherein a setting can function as its own character, the many different forms an action hero can take, and our incredibly divisive feelings about women's wrongs.
Fics we discuss in this episode include: Benched by Speranza (Stargate Atlantis), 5 Times the Raptors Tried to Kill Miriam, and 1 Time They Didn’t by tardigradetardis (Jurassic Park), and Unbranded Air by suitesamba (BBC Sherlock).
In our second two-host episode of 2026, hosts Nic and Brenna join forces to discuss the current landscape of the fandom and fanfiction for hit HBO MAX medical drama The Pitt. From major ships to the fragmentation of fandom across different forms of social media to fandom-savvy actors and writers, our conversation covers a lot of ground, including touching on a wide variety of fics!
Some of the fics we discuss or just bring up/reference include:
- "2:00 AM" by orphan_account
- "and yet i fight, and yet i fight" by a_gathering_of_flowers
- "A Case of the Mondays" by SkiLift
- "new dog old tricks" by overnights
- "don't call it a comeback" by overnights
- "Two-Player" by avocadomoon
Rejected episode titles (since it IS a minisode and thus has a specific title format) include: Reid's Fired, The Hot Doctor Show, The People Want Blood and Bruises, Pitt Stop, and A Hell Yeah For Toxic Yuri.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss “and so my heart beats wildly,” by lily_winterwood (MDZS).
You thought Olympics season was over? Think again. We're always ready to talk about sports narratives on the pod and boy do we dig into some meaty ones here. Are you interested in how sports can be akin to martyrdom, and how an athlete's responsibility is not to their body but to the game? What about how fiction allows for tidy narrative arcs of redemption that aren't possible with real people? Perhaps how a family's legacy in sport puts the burdensome expectation of perfect representation onto those who follow in its wake? All that and more awaits you in this episode.
Happy Valentine's Day ficlets! Love is in the air, but perhaps the journey to a happily ever after isn't as straightforward as it seems. As we put some beloved characters through twists and turns on classic tropes, we also examine what it means to bridge the distance between your perception of someone and the reality of them, how sense of place can connect to moments of tension, and our lack of knowledge about the court system.
Fics discussed in this episode: "One Last Time," by ElAurian (Ace Attorney), "No Retreat, Baby, No Surrender," by itsnotbleak (Captain America Movies), and "loving this body" by beetlesandstars & kryptonian (Heated Rivalry).
H/N (Host note): Reid's mic was experiencing some difficulties this episode, we apologize for the occasional impact that had on the audio quality.
Fic Clique goes TTRPG in Nic's 2026 birthday episode! Join us as our GM (Nic) leads two intrepid warriors (played by Brenna and Reid) through a variety of settings and tropes on a quest to save AO3 from bad actors and maintain the integrity of fanfiction as a vehicle for even the most unlikely characters to fall in love.
We're playing a system so simple it feels wrong to say it's heavily adapted from D&D, but that's technically what's happening here! So whether you're a seasoned TTRPG fan or dipping your toe in for the first time, anyone should be able to jump in, get oriented, and enjoy the hijinks.
All roads lead back to Sidney Crosby in host Brenna's 2026 birthday episode, where we discuss all things hockey! Guest of the pod Em joins us and provides vital information about the current state of hockey — thank you, Em! — as we dive into: material-discursive analysis of masculinity in men's hockey, internalized homophobia, relative degrees of emotional safety as a fan engaging with different iterations on the same sport, generational talent and failure, and what gives rpf the sauce. It's a meaty one, y'all.
Fics discussed in this episode: Yekaterinburg Standard Time by sevenfists (Hockey RPF), the art of staying by nightswatch (Check Please!), and love takes miles by corsi (Game Changers Series / Heated Rivalry)
We also reference the academic article "What a bust": Character selection and the possibilities of failure in hockey RPF, by Júlia Zen Dariva and Natália Brauns Cazelgrandi Ferreira, which is open source on the OTW's journal of transformative works and cultures.
Another journey around the sun is coming to a close, and that means Fic Clique is taking a look at the year on a grand scale. Join us as we make predictions for hot 2026 fandoms, list some of our "best of"s, and manifest greatness for the pod in the year to come.
Alternate titles for this episode include: "Paid Dust but the Dust Is Delicious," "My Crying Levels Are on the Decline," and "Your Algorithm Terrifies Me."
In 2025's last full-length episode, your hosts brought some hot fics and even hotter takes to the table as we discussed our perspective on what fandoms "hit (or remained in) the zeitgeist" this year. From The Pitt to Arcane to Interview With the Vampire, our conversation led us to discuss topics such as:
- humor as a cultural indicator
- the impact of big media companies in an increasingly siloed media landscape
- the risks of creating progressive media
- and science fiction as a reflection of social anxieties
The fics we discussed this episode were the fifth element (series) by copycat_punisher (The Pitt), love, letting go by theroyalsavage (Arcane), and Cunk on Fangs by beemovieerotica (Cunk on Earth, Interview With the Vampire).
Welcome one and all to a rousing discussion of a long awaited topic: reader insert fanfiction! In our first ever two-host minisode, Nic and Reid get into the beautiful weeds of different fanfic traditions, degrees of closeness and how POV can mediate your self-concept as a reader, fantasy and (dis)comfort, and communal fic reading experiences that will have you gathering hands with your friends and declaring: We are All Y/N.
Alternate titles for this episode include:
- Put Up Your Messy Buns
- The Cringe Among the Cringe
- People Want to Fuck That Skeleton Man
- My Lesbian Hall Pass
Today's very exciting episode of Fic Clique welcomes author Meghan Fitzmartin as a guest! Listen to us discuss Meghan's upcoming comic, delve into her fandom history and her work as an author, and discuss "Search for the Lost Ones (Guardians of Light)" by fanfiction.net user Jensfire.
This was a super fun episode to record with our first guest that wasn't already our friend, and we dove deep into sexism and misogyny in fandom/fanfiction, the stories and fandoms that shaped us in our teenage years, and the importance of horniness in our stories.
Meghan's comic Mary Sue is out now in comic book stores and you can find her on Bluesky at megfitz89.bsky.social and on Tumblr at megfitz89.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Where the Dead Live" by mirabella on dreamwidth (Inception), "three's a crowd" by ctimene (Formula 1 RPF), "The Seal Song" by Blackeyed_blackeyed (Original Fiction), and "A Cabin in the Woods" by Nightwalker (The Avengers). Four for the price of one!
Happy Halloween, Ficlets! Put on your witch hats and Hamlet costumes, because each of these fics is on theme! In this episode we do our best to dissect the question: Why is horror so wildly popular in media as a whole but disproportionately underrepresented in fanfiction? We also explore what makes horror so beloved as a genre in the first place, diving into horror as parable, subversion of expectations, catharsis, social and moral commentary, response to global crisis, queer allegory, and more.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Blood in the Moonlight," by rosemeister (Baldur's Gate III).
With one long fic guiding our discussion this episode we packed in everything a person could want: academic texts as references, discussions of the queer as monstrous, breaking of cycles to forge your own path, and a whole lot of extoling the joys of femslash.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Dust," by levelone (TAZ Balance) @06:38, "A Game of Two Halves," by stickmarionette (FE3H) @34:32, and "the most remarkable thing about you standing in the doorway is that it’s you," by greatunironic (Stranger Things) @1:00:55.
Ficlets we are so back! Season two of Fic Clique kicks off with us honoring our long journey as a podcast alongside you the listeners, specifically by picking fic recommendations from three different eras of the pod. We dig in to what it is we love about fanfiction that has kept it so near and dear to our hearts for all these years, with some classic tropes to guide our way.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "it was dark when i found you," by whimsicalimages (Skyfall) @14:01, "Because it is bitter, and because it is my heart," by kaydeefalls (Inception) @40:30, and "Situation Normal: All Fucked Up," by gyzym (MCU) @1:09:24.
It's another blast from the past as we round out this year's birthday episodes, and this time we examine fandom-wide trends of breaking characters away from their archetypes, raising the stakes in opposite ways to canon, and the tropes we always return home to.
Summer is soon upon us, and with it comes something new for the pod; your hosts are taking a hiatus beyond our normal summer break. Though we will be leaving for a few months, like any good teacher we've assigned you all some homework in the interim! We promise it's all in good fun though, and we're also leaving you with some media reccomendations, activities, and thoughts about the future of the pod. We'll see you all in the fall with a fresh, fun, and updated version of Fic Clique podcast.
In our 107th episode, your hosts are back to talk about three baller fics: "primped and polished till you glow with pride" by VagabondDawn (Mulan) @17:30, "A to Z (of the Universe)" by Nope (NASA Visions of the Future Posters) @42:21, and "i'll tell them put me back in it" by yeahitshowed (Agatha All Along) @1:12:36.
While this episode has no formal theme, it sure does celebrate women and feminine expressions of desire! Come listen to this femslash-heavy episode as we discuss filial duty, unexpected genre fusions, and fiction as a site for the unveiling of subconscious needs and desires.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts (re)discuss "The End of All Things," by Telanu (The Devil Wears Prada) @12:15, "Worldwide Lonesome," by loindexter (BTS) @45:42, and "A Cornstalk Fiddle," by notbecauseofvictories (Devil Went Down to Georgia @1:22:09.
We are constantly talking about the cyclical nature of things on the podcast, a phenomenon of life from which we are not exempt! Our passion for previous fics discussed on the pod has us re-examining some old favorites in a new light. With distance and some new perspectives we were able to find commonalities through all three fics of sacrifice, inversions of tropes, and expectations of who you're supposed to be.
In today's episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Astronauts" by HawkinsLocal (The Bear) @16:33, "Harder for You, of Course" by pendrecarc (Think of England by KJ Charles) @44:09, and "Hero of Another Story" by Banhus (D&D Honor Among Thieves) @1:12:11.
This classic three-fic format episode has no formal theme. It does, however, contain lots of informal passion as we create a beautiful and unique collaborative narrative, debate the mystery genre, and consider diction and detail as functions of POV.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Live From New York," by varnes (The Untamed/MDZS).
We are back with another longer fic discussion, Ficlets! For your consideration, we present a Saturday Night Live AU full of laughs, heart, petty revenge, and sketches with multiple meanings. Join us as our discussion meanders from considering the premise and casting of each character to an iconic central slowburn romance and beyond.
Alternate titles include: "His Angry Eyebrows Bring Flavor," "Gross, Charming, Wonderful, and Disgusting!" "I'm the Anti-Macklemore," and "She Learns How to be Bacon."
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "give me your hand, darling," by Omcree (Critical Role) @12:51, "Competition," by astolat (Game of Thrones) @42:28, and "The Downsides to a Secret Identity," by liodain (DCEU) @1:11:02.
In this (slightly belated) Valentine's Day episode, we got granular with our focus and narrowed in on three variations of one romance trope-- [blank] to lovers. Looking at the different permutations let us identify some of the key elements we love most in these types of fics, and what draws us in as individuals. Be you a friend, an enemy, or something in between, there's a path towards love for you in this episode.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The fox who can never be caught," by ionthesparrow (Top Gun Movies) @16:41, "Ammurapi, King of Ugarit," by the_alchemist (Late Bronze Age Collapse RPF, Hamlet) @46:32, and "Homecoming," by jellyfisheries (Ocean's Echo) @1:15:16.
In this episode, your hosts explore how to navigate complex family relationships, the synchronicty of two tragedies coming together, and what expressions of vulnerability and trust can look like.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The One Coming Back for You," by orphan_account (Teen Wolf) @15:41, "Blue on Blue," by Lindentreeisle (Sherlock) @42:05, and "all the world's a stage," by Abagail_Snow (Hunger Games) @1:13:23.
Ficlets, did you keep your party hats on from last episode in anticipation of Nic's birthday? Well take them off, this is a solemn affair. In true Host Nic fashion, all three fics this week shared common themes of grief, trauma, and a home that will never be the same.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "5:35 pm" by belldamn (White Collar) @13:13, "Tintagel," by seperis (BBC Merlin) @43:18, and "The Curious Incident of Eduardo in the Night-Time," by jibrailis (The Social Network) @1:09:07.
In this special birthday edition of Fic Clique, we're kicking off the year by celebrating Brenna & her fandoms of yore! We also perform a roast, talk about the urge to recreate a once-in-a-lifetime feeling, and do some investigative journalism into the prevalence of Tuesday time loops.
It's the end of another turn around the sun! As we come to the end of 2024, it's time for yet another minisode during which we can look both backward and forward (much like owls). Ficlets, join us as we review our years as well as our bingo cards, discuss our favorite fics of the year that didn't make it to the pod, and make grand and perhaps impossible plans to take over the world in the months to come.
Alternate titles include: “Mantra: I’m So There,” “Who Even is Joshua?” and “The Platonic Ideal of Fandom”
In this episode-turned-minisode-turned new format, your hosts revisit their annual rec exchange with a new twist. Focusing in on the tropes of our respective gifted fics, we examined the optics of being a professional shipper, keeping your cards close to your chest, and the inevitability of fanfiction itself.
Alternate titles include: "The Chef's Special," "The Plate Tectonics of Fandom," and "I Only Know the Way of the Chalant"
In this minisode, your hosts reprise their award-winning (citation needed) panel at Geek Girl Con 2024, wherein they discussed patterns of fannish migration and many of the factors that cause, influence, and direct these migratory paths. Come for the semiotics and reflections on what makes certain fandoms so compelling, stay for the discussions of Young Sheldon and the close encounters with various squares on the 2024 Fic Clique bingo card.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss “kintsukuroi,” by tomorrowsrain (Naruto) @21:55, “freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose,” by synecdochic (Stargate Atlantis) @53:00, and “The Fisher-Prince,” by roachpatrol & urbanAnchorite (Homestuck) @1:22:49.
It's No Knowledge November! This themed episode your hosts forayed into three popular fandoms we all were unfamiliar with it. Through this uncertain territory we found familiar themes of mentoring the next generation, holding grief for your past life, and navigating foreign ways of relating to one another.
In this episode of Fic Clique, it's once again Halloween! For this horror special, we've decided to mix things up, so prepare to expect the unexpected and navigate some treacherous, touching, and nightmarish stories alongside your hosts.
Join us for a thrilling chat that covers topics such as: where to find custom embroidered robes, how to muster the courage to ask about the contents of a punch bowl, and when it's a bad idea to kick rocks.
Sfx sourced from Pixabay. "Baroque Noble Party" music is by @MichaelGhelfiStudios
In this episode, your hosts discuss "You have [1] New Message," by torikabori (Star Trek AOS).
Happy fifth anniversary to you all and to us, ficlets! Thank you as ever for joining us on this journey. This anniversary episode contains both fic discussion and reflections on the state of the show, as well as a dad of the pod lore drop, pitch for a new fannish term, and return to our roots.
In this minisode, your fearless hosts reflect on our own personal reading trends, books that may have started as fics, and offer some bespoke book recommendations for lovers of certain fics we've brought to the pod! Let's read, baby!
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Upside Down," by redbrickrose (Inside Out) @16:07, "Thick as Thieves," by robotboy (Black Sails) @42:21, and "sinking/synching," by radicchio (SVT RPF) @1:07:40.
Reflections on personhood are at the core of this episode, with fics that consider what it means to be at the wheel of your own identity, how far you can or cannot stray from a predestined narrative, and refractions of ambition as a means of character work.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "the goosekeeper game," by offlight (The Untamed) @18:19, "Mercy and Augustine's Cake Simulator!," by reconditarmonia (The Locked Tomb) @47:39, and "suppose you are returning," by desmodus (Fire Emblem Three Houses) @1:16:18.
Grab your controllers and get ready to lock in because Reid's birthday episode this year is all about video games. In the intersection of interactive fiction and video game canon itself, we found rich narratives that traverse genres and create potential for some true magic.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Wittenberg Days," by norah (Hamlet) @14:08, "bend and sway," by tciddaemina (Legend of Zelda) @41:33, and "Empress of Sand and Water," by Sheeana (Dune) @1:09:17.
Ficlets, we heard your delight at our previous Dune June episode and your clamors for more, and we are here to deliver! This time around we tried to pick fics a little more connected to our source material, with overlapping themes of destiny, power, and the role of fate.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "And Harder Still to Make Noise," by sophiahelix (The Office) @18:13, "Death Insurance," by Nimori (Discworld) @47:45, and "a romantic fool," by spqr (Challengers Movie) @1:11:09.
The sun is out, summer is here, and Fic Clique pod is bringing you three hot and fresh fic discussions to enjoy. The relationships in these stories encompass a wide array of dynamics; from quiet loneliness, to mutually beneficial gain, to something both sexy and a little messed up.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "most times a wish," by impossibletruths (The Untamed) @17:41, "the red dark shifting," by typefortydeductions (The Untamed) @45:38, and "蓝色生死恋; a blue love (to live and to die for)," by yiqie (The Untamed) @1:14:01.
We are once again introducing a new series to the pod, and as you may have realized it involves bringing three fics for the same fandom! We're starting this series with a focus on The Untamed. In these works we found common throughlines of grief, the things you can no longer hide from one another, and the infallible truth that Wangxian invented love.
Alternate titles include: "Whoops! All Wangxian," "Repression and Undying Devotion," and "Rolling in the Mud For 1,000 Years"
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "take the hidden paths that run (towards the moon or to the sun)," by erroneous_hedgehog (Wayward Children Series, Chronicles of Narnia) @ 8:43, "we could jump the state lines (we only get the one life)," by notcaycepollard (Captain America) @ 35:14, and "home is an anchor," by Marks (Sk8 the Infinity) @ 1:08:09.
Travel with us along the many varied paths of fanfiction, as we voyage through discussions of the things you lose in childhood, avenues for characterization from fragmented canon, and setting as a means to reframe interpersonal dynamics.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The Malteser Falcon," by Toft (Great British Bake Off) @15:22, "Threat as Greeting," by FlipSpring (Murderbot Diaries) @43:08, and "you and her loathing this cruel world," by thememoriesfire (Glee) @1:09:00.
On your marks... get set... go! Right into this episode, where we cover the stylings of noir as a genre, how fic formats can be in service of character work, and one host's unfortunate first blorb.
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.
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.
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"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"
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.
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.
In this minisode, your hosts present their panel from Geek Girl Con 2023: Genre and Subgenre in Fanfiction!
We had so much fun crafting & presenting our panel that we wanted to immortalize it for you all. This somewhat more formal minisode takes a look at how genre & subgenre function in both published literature and fanfiction, with some key talking points covering romance as the foundation for fic, genre fusions, and our pitch for what "fic genre" entails.
In this fic, your hosts discuss "quelled and quenched in leaves," by Senri (Stardew Valley) @9:04, "red, and a little more red," by atwater (F1 RPF) @33:52, and "practical magic," by notspring (SHINee RPF) @1:04:31.
In this Halloween-themed episode, your hosts trick-or-treated through a delightful neighborhood of Ficlet recommendations and uncovered beautiful and mysterious truths about cycles of life, the nature of a haunting, and what to do when a guy infuriates you but man are his arms beautiful. Join us as we celebrate this charming holiday with a plethora of sub-10k fics, and perhaps also as we locate its true meaning.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "A Temporary Fix," by bosgood (Untamed) @10:41, "No Reservations: Narnia," by Edonohana (Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations RPF, Chronicles of Narnia) @41:07, and "A Wee Monster Problem," by isis (Witcher) @1:01:00.
Would you like to have your heart ripped out via melancholic fanfiction? Explore a love of food as an avenue for culture? Bear witness to two co-hosts absolutely obliterating the good name of their third co-host? Whether you said yes to any of these questions or not, you should listen to this episode!
As one season tips into another, so too does Fic Clique make the transition into another year of podcasting with our fourth anniversary!!
This episode features us finally getting our act (somewhat) together, loving and appreciating the ficlets, and witnessing a multi-award winning performance from host Brenna. There are never enough words to describe how truly grateful we are for you all joining and supporting us on this ride, but know from the bottom of our hearts that we love you. Here's to another year of fanfiction and wack nonsense.
In this episode, your hosts discuss "Maybe the Truth," by aceaceaceace (SHINee RPF).
We hope you're enjoying our new "For Your Consideration" series, because we're back with another installment! It's easy to see why host Brenna championed this fic, as we all really enjoyed the smart authorial choices, realistic portrayals of the human experience, and multiplicity of truth that this story had to offer.
Alternate titles include: "See If I Ever Validate You Again," "Don't Be a Coward, Read the OCs," and "Making a Gay Guy Happy Is So Ally of Me"
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "And Then We Shot the Ox," by coltsbane (Oregon Trail) @9:53, "RICHIE TOZIER IS...THE COMEBACK CLOWN," by owlinaminor & tinypersonhotel (IT) @35:52, and "it walks among us," by strangehunger (She-Ra) @1:02:58.
This episode features lots of unintentional throughlines between our fics, from literalized video game mechanics to the many sides of someone's persona to delightfully clever twist endings.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Distraction Management," by sinsense (Semantic Error) @17:02, "Her Heart is a River," by angelan (Six of Crows) @43:00, and "Ere," by audreycritter (The Queen's Thief) @1:07:13.
When there's someone you care deeply about and you need to talk to them, how do you communicate? Is it via a series of increasingly unhinged text messages? Letters where much is left unsaid? Stilted conversations in royal bedchambers? The fics of this episode offer you a plethora of really viable and useful options to explore in your own life.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Le Cirque Des Souvenirs," by AirgiodSLV, CompassRose, Ellejabell, epaulettes, kitkat50311, mahons_ondine, minnapods, & sisi_rambles (The Night Circus) @15:15, "gone to ground," by merionettes (FE3H) @44:25, and "if you would only let you," by gdgdbaby (Untamed RPF) @1:11:56.
Your hosts have returned from their annual spring/summer break and we're ready to party, so put on a festive shirt and let's get celebrating with Reid's birthday episode! Alongside a lovely guest of the pod, we discuss creation for the pure joy of it, implicit trust in relationships, and the unstoppable train that is life.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Restitutio ad integrum," by AirgiodSLV (Locked Tomb) @12:26, "Life is Very Long," by Vamillepudding (Untamed) @38:21, and "A Cornstalk Fiddle," by notbecauseofvictories (Devil Went Down to Georgia) @1:00:34.
Your hosts debated starting drama with each other this episode, but instead decided it would be better to discuss humor and dramatic irony, music as a source of soulfulness, and the cruellest thing Nic has ever said to Reid.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "give me a tempest," by Klavier (SVT RPF).
Welcome to the start of a brand new series here on the pod: For Your Consideration! Similar to our Fandom Classic episodes, this series aims to take a look at one fic in a fandom that we think has the makings of a Fandom Classic without quite having obtained that status yet.
We could not have picked a better fic to kickstart this new series, as this delight of a romcom premise takes us through a story rich with impressive setting work, fantastic friendships, and dynamic protagonists living authentic human experiences.
Alternate titles include: "Be Gay Do Crimes Commit Marriage Fraud," and "Oops! In Love with My Fake Husband"
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "you can change right next to me," by simonlorden (Jolene) @15:00, "the love stories we share around starfires," (F1 RPF) @41:27, and "any greenness is deeper than anyone knows," (OTGW) @1:07:48
This episode is packed with journeys of all kinds, from growth & self discovery to apocalyptic roadtrips to beastly fairytale woods. Watch your step - it's a twisting and unfamiliar path out there.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Chapter 7.5," by ionthesparrow (Murderbot Diaries) @18:25, "Psychopompeii," by Eastling (Ancient Pompeii Graffiti) @44:00, and "...and a partridge in a pear tree," by strangehunger (The Locked Tomb) @1:06:30.
Take a break from the weight of the world with these three lovely fics, and the ensuing discussions on otherness, marks of human existence, and laugh-out-loud humorous prose.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "bad coffee & lemon bars," by abillionstars (Haikyuu) @11:00, "Strange Bedfellows," by orphan_account & ravenclawsquill (Harry Potter) @36:25, and "obliged to defend every love, every ending," by shinealightonme (Raven Cycle) @1:03:26. Caaaaan you feel the love tonight? It is where we are... and is also the theme(ish) of this episode! For this belated Valentine's Day ep, your hosts are here to deliver some classic romance tropes. In addition to tropey delights, we chat about ensemble casts, incisive fic choices, and Brenna's gripes with fiction authors.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Days & Years," by hkafterdark (SHINEe RPF) @15:22, "A Field Guide to Common Birds in New York City," by Toft (Person of Interest) @40:41, and "sing each song twice over," by uraneia (Hockey RPF) @1:05:15.
For such an auspicious episode number, we thought of a really nice(haha, wink) theme for you all. Whether or not our discussions actually pertain to it, however, is perhaps up for debate. Still, we hope you enjoy the themes of second chances, finding unspoken ways to voice your needs, and good fictional therapists.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "like the stars right here (director's cut)," by unconscious (SKZ RPF) @12:33, "Meditations," by Chantress, greedy_dancer, Jet_pods, LenaLawlipop & TheLordOfLaMancha (Witcher) @50:32, and "hunters seeking solid ground" by Attila (The Untamed) @1:16:23.
Keep those party hats on and get ready to enter Aquarius season with Nic's birthday episode! Featuring another wonderful guest of the pod, this episode explores how you have to work for your happy ending, the unfiltered joy of fandom creations, and the fantasy of perfect comfort.
In this episode your hosts discuss "Victory Condition," by astolat (Transformers) @11:19, "betty cooper - runs in the family," by taylor xoxo (Riverdale Fanvid) @52:52, and "A Month of Sundays," by Kelfin (Hockey RPF) @1:18:29. You already know what time it is— that's right, Brenna's birthday episode is back and better than ever baby. With three certified bangers of fanworks, we explore the subjectiveness of truth, feminine violence and repression, and the gulf between internal and external personas. This episode also features our first ever guest of the pod!
Another year has come to a close, if you can even believe it. Before we get into all the great things Fic Clique has coming in the future, we first take a moment to appreciate what this year has encompassed for the pod. We look back at our reading habits, some favorite fics from this past year's catalogue, and reflect on goals both achieved and yet to come.
Alternate titles include: "Heartbroken Over Some Random Australian Man," "Having a Two Track Mind," and "It's Fun to Be a Hater"
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "all i want" by young legends (LOONA) @12:24, "Jeffery Nullier's 'Man with Fedora'" by copperbadge (White Collar) @40:59, and "Once and Future" by oliviacirce (Arthurian Mythology) @1:08:38.
Your hosts got into the spirit of giving with our third annual host rec exchange! We had a lot of fun exploring themes of genuine connection, identity & authenticity, and stories that exist in perpetuity.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The Seventh Test," by mylordshesacactus (Original Fiction) @12:47, "The Art of Negotiation," by language_escapes (Elementary) @40:20, and "I STOP TO SMELL THE BLOOD IN THE TREES AND FOR A MOMENT THE WORLD IS SO BEAUTIFUL IT BRINGS ME TO TEARS," by perennials (Zelda BotW) @1:08:09.
Ficlets there is indeed a theme this episode, and it's, well, the abscence of a certain thing shall we say. While the theme might've started as a silly joke, we found surprisingly touching throughlines in all of our fics with portrayls of varying types of intimacy and recurring stories that we are drawn to tell over and over.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Switch," by Ceres_Libera (Star Trek AOS). As we expand the repetoire of our Fandom Classics series, we would like to welcome in this truly novelesque fic. With so much material to cover, our conversation meandered through immersive settings, the conflicts of big institutions, and how the things that hurt us are also the things that make us human.
Alternate titles include: "Kirk on the Brain", "The Slowest of Burns", & "Deus Ex Winona"
In this episode Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "recognize them by their fruits," by ceruleanVulpine (Locked Tomb) @13:38, "Expedition Four," by silver_penny (OFMD) @42:03, and "The Dream House," by karanguni (Grand Designs | Cthulhu Mythos) @1:14:32.
It's spooky season and your hosts are ready to celebrate! Though finding something of the true horror genre proved a bit trickier than anticipated, we hope this episode still has tricks & treats for everyone. Join us for chilling discussions on desire as a thing to be feared, magic as a form of science, and what on earth a pastiche really is.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "slip safe," by LadyAscalon (SKZ RPF) @8:35, "The 1,000 Hour Sleep," by spqr (Star Trek SNW) @41:42, and "Shut Up and Take My Money," by Attila (Critical Role C1) @1:11:27.
As hosts of this podcast we always try to be true to ourselves... but sometimes we're not true to you. Sorry ficlets, we did lie about this being a themed episode. But hey! There's still plenty of great content here, with questions of what love can be, trauma as a means of character building, and making up with your ex via an overseas heist.
Here at Fic Clique we love a good rule of three, which is why we've got three hosts, (usually) three fics, and ... three years of the pod? That's right, it's Fic Clique's third anniversary!!
After asking you all what you'd like to see in this episode we brought back some ficlet favorite bits, answered some questions, and took some time to be in our feelings about this little podcast that we do. Of course there's plenty of wack content to enjoy too, with everything from "counter culture" categorizations to the return of Nic's hit slam poetry. What a wild and wonderful journey these three years have been; thank you for being by our side, and we hope you enjoy all that's yet to come.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Maelstrom," by liminalweirdo (BFU RPF) @15:37, "By No Ordinary Means of Communication," by laughtershock (Skyfall) @43:42, and "Curving Like the Ocean Toward You," by gyzym (Hawaii Five-0) @1:09:07. [Earth, Wind & Fire voice] Do you remember / these fics we discussed in September? Well, your hosts... sort of did. This month's themed episode is Remember September, where we brought fics from way back in our reading histories. We were delighted to find that they still held so many things we love, like repeated work at communicating, epistolary-adjacent developing relationships, and fully realized adult identities.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "taking some time," by tetrapod (F1 RPF) @15:58, "white collar.mp3," by LuckyDiceKirby (White Collar) @42:24, and "Untitled Yuletide Fic," by runicmagitek (Untitled Goose Game, Dreamwidth) @1:08:59.
This episode has us digging into lost possibilities as a consequence of your choices, how the framing of a narrative impacts our understanding of it, and what makes something humorous.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "jarchie | you belong with me," by kindrid spirit & "betty & veronica | betty," by beronicasfate (Riverdale Fanvids) @15:33, "sweet tea in the summer / cross your heart won't tell no other" by firewoodfigs (FMA:B) @43:47, and "Wolves of Swift River," by waspabi (Taylor Swift Musician) @1:08:49.
August slipped away into a moment in time... but luckily the legacy of August August is now on the internet forever! For this month's themed episode, we bring you a variety of fanworks that all relate in some way to hit artist Taylor Swift. We're sure she would appreciate this episode's dissections of humans as meaning makers, the intricacies of song fic, and monstrosity as an allegory for queerness.
In this themed episode, your hosts discuss "the long way down," by Japery (Hockey RPF) @14:35, "Misethere," by astolat (Witcher) @47:40, and a Twitter threadfic by rarawriting (Untamed) @1:27:00.
Hope you haven't forgotten about our birthday episodes, because we're rounding off this year's bunch with Reid's picks! The energy of these three fanworks might vary wildly, but we still deliver on an episode packed with laughs. There's a little bit of everything in this one: ruminations on sacrifice, fic that started a movement, and exposure therapy for eels.
In this themed episode, your hosts discuss "on this night, and in this light," by astrid_fischer (FE3H) @10:04, "Four Days in Lanling," by halotolerant (The Untamed) @38:58, and "Sui Juris," by impertinence (The Queen's Thief) @1:07:35.
In this second installment of our monthly themed episodes, we're bringing to you: You Lie July! Where all of the fics had to feature -- you guessed it -- lying. The shape of these fics looked a little different than what we initially expected, but we still enjoyed talking about delightfully indulgent tropes, wanting to take the world at face value, and everyone's favorite neutral librarian.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "You're Wrong About Misericorde," by Edonohana (You're Wrong About Podcast) @13:04, "The Age of Aquarius," by Speranza (West Wing) @45:54, and "a coin over each eye," by sorrymom (TWICE RPF).
With fics that span a wide array genres and mood, this episode is sure to have something for everyone. You can delight in the joys of an on-the-spot mini podfic, speculate about the harsh nature of media exposure, and lose your gourd along with the hosts trying to untangle one hell of a plot.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "From the Blackest Regions Between the Stars," by Shadaras (Star Wars & The Locked Tomb) @13:18, "wonder under summer sky," by singsongsung (Little Women) @39:53, and "if you wanna be my lover (you gotta get with my friends)," by mindshelter (Spiderman Tom Holland Movies).
Dune June! Dune June! Dune June! We are very enthused to be bringing you the first of our 2022 monthly themed episodes. While we don't actually talk about Dune very much in this episode, we do get into fascinating parallels between different medias, gold-tinged nostalgia, and how friendship is just really good, actually.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "My Immortal," by Tara Gilesbie. Yes you've read that right; this isn't an April Fool's joke, we did in fact discuss My Immortal on the pod. Truly we can't think of a fic that earns the designation "Fandom Classic" more than this infamous story. This episode takes a deep dive into all that the fic has to offer, from contentious debates about authorial intent to the intricacies of time travel.
Alternate titles include: "Diabolo is Our Friend", "My Immortal was Good, Actually", & "Hot New Craze: My Blorbo"
In this episode, your hosts discuss "TAAKOQUEST: CYCLE 42," by anonymousAlchemist (TAZ Balance) @17:48, "The King and M'Baku," by tehtarik (Black Panther) @43:59, and "where they hang the lights," by misandrywitch (Roswell NM) @1:10:02.
It's another action-packed episode here at Fic Clique, featuring an immersive choose your own adventure game, considerations on the intersection between faith & storytelling, and a healthy dose of appreciation for the classic trope of crew as found family.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "In For a Penny," by jedibuttercup (Knives Out) @20:12, "Anomaly Counter," by yopumpkinhead (Murderbot Diaries) @43:48, and "Plum," by unfavored_idol (LOONA RPF) @1:09:35.
For our slightly-belated Valentine's Day episode, we've returned to an old theme - gen fic! We're big enthusiasts of gen fic on the pod, and enjoyed having another episode dedicated to talking about just that. With romance out of the way we were able to cover hard-hitting issues like what people deserve, and the struggles of professional podcasting.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Resonance," by elanoides (Critical Role) @11:24, "The Interpreter," by antistar_e (Snowpiercer) @39:28, and "wander the wild whereby," by mediest (FE3H) @1:08:46.
Gather round for a celebration of 50 (!!) episodes of the pod! Something we've discovered with this many episodes of podcasting is that we have a lot to say about fanfiction. Often we have more to say than can possibly fit into one episode, and so we decided to return to some favorite fics we've previously discussed. The topics are all brand new however, as we question what it means to have a happy ending, highlight how sci-fi is a reflection of humanity, and talk about monstrosity both explicit and implicit.
In this themed episode, your hosts discuss "to hold it against your bones," by Ester (SVT RPF) @12:24, "The Rightish Reasons," by AttilaTheHun (BTS RPF) @35:22, and the "Hamlet Paladin Comic" by binary-bird (Hamlet) @1:17:14.
The passage of time remains unchanged, which can be a comfort or a burden. In this case, however, it simply means that once again we have back-to-back birthday episodes! In an effort to bring the most Nic energy possible, we cover topics like figuring out who you are to someone years in the future, struggling with an authenticity of self, and considerations of free will and morality.
In this themed episode, your hosts discuss "The Next Next One," by yourblues (Hockey RPF) @14:57, "Cake," by astolat (Harry Potter) @55:29, and "i know the end" by Ruby S (Riverdale Fanvid) @1:17:17
It's January, and you know what that means: it's time to begin this year's edition of birthday episodes! Our chosen format for this year has the birthday host picking all three fanworks, and Brenna kicked things off by remaining incredibly dedicated to her brand. Filled with hard-won reconciliations, embracing selfishness, and intense theories about milkshakes, this episode is sure to delight.
As another year comes to a close, your hosts take some time to reflect on what this past year looked like for us. Some hosts may have understood the assignment better than others in what "running a fanfiction podcast" entails, but hey we're all just out here doing our best. This minisode introduces a brand new awards show, shares our hopes and dreams for the future, and almost causes the hosts to dissolve their business relationship on air.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Faster, Love, Than You And Me," by lighterdenial (Gideon The Ninth) @14:39, "lena dies on a wednesday," by karalovesallthegirls (Supergirl) @44:44, and "sleeping in the shadow of an other self," by nonwal (Critical Role) @1:09:03.
In a new annual tradition here at Fic Clique, we've once again done a rec exchange among hosts! We each were assigned a different host to pick a fic for, and we think we really crushed it this time around. Our fics were packed with undying devotion, a new take on a classic trope, and belief in redemption and one's better self.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Presque Vu," by rageprufrock (Inception). The much beloved fandom classic series makes a return with this 2010 hit from Inception fandom! Within this 70k fic there is some incredibly ambitious worldbuilding crafted from canon, an intensely intimate friendship, and a story predicated on desire.
Alternate titles include: "The Raw Experience of My Subconscious", "Arms & Ear", & "In This Essay I Could but I Won't"
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "I could not travel both and be one traveler," by goodbyelover (SKZ RPF) @13:57, "All Night All Right," by MoreThanSlightly (Young Avengers) @43:26, and "careful fear and dead devotion," by hardlythewiser (F1 RPF) @1:13:20.
Buckle up for a wild journey through this episode's picks! Follow along as we share opinions of varying textual evidence, delight at a romantically-charged makeup application moment, and spiritually grace a national park with our haunting presence.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts are celebrating Halloween! For our “trick or treat” special, the fics are a secret but the energy is as punk rock as ever as we explore the true spirit of this holiday. Join us for a rousing discussion on existentialism, the skeptic/believer divide, and the nicest thing Reid has ever said to Brenna. Note: this episode contains audio distortions from 14:20 - 14:36, and from 18:25-19:43. Music includes "Ghost" by Tim Beek (timbeek.com) and "NC Night Forest" by Lasdimot (https://freesound.org/people/Lasdimot/).
In this very special episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "blondes really do have more fun," by suzukiblue (Young Justice) @19:38, "the wood is warping, the lines distorting," by lilcrickee (NCT RPF) @48:48, and "You Dance Dreams," by lady_ragnell (Les Mis) @1:19:57.
PEW PEW PEW!!! We're bringing out our loudest hype horns because this is Fic Clique's second anniversary!! We decided to celebrate by letting you, the Ficlets, guide what fics we brought to this episode. You all really delivered, and we had a blast discussing how fanfiction can mirror literary genres, what makes up your authentic self, and how an AU can be so clearly reflective of an author's passions.
Thank you all so much for an incredible two years, we love you dearly.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "we were meant for love, we were meant for this," by atlantisairlock (Crazy Rich Asians) @14:01, "Some Summers They Drop Like Flys," by kvikindi (MCU) @36:44, and "angles of unfair advantage" by midsandrywitch @1:03:07 (Check Please).
Get ready for some rousing discussions on the joys of trope-filled fics, the struggles of being unmade & building yourself anew, and how levels of familiarity allow for vulnerability. We also find out the mortality status of one fandom's protagonist live on air.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Smashed Creatures," by avocadomoon (Ready or Not) @15:47, "the ghost and the garden," by clachnaben (Witcher) @44:58, and "a better way forward," by ignismai (F1 RPF) @1:10:15.
You know when we do themed episodes and try to have a cohesive throughline between our fics? This is perhaps the furthest away from that we've ever been. We still think we did a good job with the episode though as we dive into the ethics of therapy, puzzle through a mystery with our POV character, and expose one host's secret career.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "felicitous," by amonglilies (FE3H) @13:40, "anamnesis," by cenotaphy (Supernatural) @ 42:47, and "now you have to let me go (four dreams in a row)," by notspring (SVT RPF) @1:08:25.
Have you ever fallen down a ravine and then taken 5 years to climb back out of it? ...Haha, we definitely haven't either! Anyway, luckily for everyone, instead of falling down a ravine your hosts were busy recording an episode full of domestic yearning, a malicious time loop, and a phenomenal example of genre execution.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "living in my memory/living in my mouth," by tardigradeschool (The Untamed) @17:46, "all the days, they got short," by remiges (Into the Spiderverse) @46:46, and "paint by numbers," by baehj2915 (Critical Role) @1:07:07.
It's another challenge episode here on the pod, and this one might feel familiar. Over one year later, we once again set out to find fics for tropes we don't normally read. Join us as your hosts get into beef with one another, discuss the folk knowledge of gourds, and even reveal the time one host trapped another in a car and forced them to experience emotional distress. Oh, and let us know how you think we did with the challenge this time around.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Let the Light In" by sharpa (BTS RPF) for a very special occasion: Host Reid's birthday! As the last installment of our 2021 birthday series, we brought just one longer fic to discuss in depth rather than looking at three.
And there was a lot to discuss! From this author's incredible predictive powers and potential job on the BTS creative team to the theme of trying to outrun your problems by up and moving to a massive city entirely on your own, there's something for everyone here, especially if you can get down with a hero's journey and/or the literalization of your love for your friends. #Besties4Lyfe.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The Rat and the Ruby Slippers," by indigostohelit (WTNV) @14:30, "Field of Dreams," by sophiahelix (Sandman Comics & Baseball RPF) @41:46, and "Modern Rustic," by beethechange (BFU RPF) @1:06:01.
Fic Clique is back, and our episodes are just as varied and wild as ever. We dig into what people choose to believe in, how rituals in sport become a form of power, and how new situations foster internal growth. Also, Reid tries to fight the concept of winter.
The intersection between social media platforms and fanfiction offers a wide array of creativity and potential to explore the boundaries of what fic even is, and that's exactly what we get into with this minisode. We talk about some of the ways we've seen fic manifest across platforms, share some of our favorite social media fic, and explore the passage of time between fandom days of old and now. Wlysm
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "when the kingdom comes calling," by blueh (Danny Phantom) @16:53, "It's a Neighborly Day in this Beautywood," by Masu_Trout (Tumblr Post) @45:38, and "wander the wild whereby," by mediest (Fire Emblem 3 Houses) @1:07:30.
From childhood nostalgia to niche internet posts to AUs of epic proportions, this episode covers a lot of ground. We take a look at the reluctant chosen one archetype, discuss the joys of being an eldritch horror, and even celebrate one host's recent marriage. Girl, help.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Ashes and Flame (Every You and Every Me)," by freneticfloetry (Hunger Games) @13:09, "life is very long," by kaydeefalls (The Old Guard) @38:40, and "Atlas," by etymologyplayground (MDZS & TGCF) @1:07:56.
An unerring truth about fandom—or at least our fandom experiences—is that the more things change, the more they stay the same, which is something we face head on in this episode. We also get into a baseless vendetta, passionate declarations of love, and the difficulties of retaining your god clout.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "where the weeds take root" by deathbanjo (Supernatural) @12:10, "The Pond Continuum" by kaydeefalls (Doctor Who) @37:40, and "Equilibrium" by augustbird (Sherlock) @1:03:40.
That's right folks, you're reading that description correctly; this is in fact a Superwholock themed episode. Don't worry, you haven't been transported back to 2012 (at least as far as we know, but watch out for those angel statues). Whether you experienced these fandoms in their heyday or only know them from their legacies, we hope you enjoy this episode ripe with found families, the joys of established relationships, and what it means to save yourself.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The Student Prince," by FayJay (Merlin). We're back with the second installation of our fandom classics series! In this series we take a close look at one particular fic that really stands out within its respective fandom. This fic took us into discussions of an incredibly detailed & grounded AU, the wonders of podfic, and the intensity of young love.
Alternate titles include: "Like to Charge, Reblog to Cast", "Miss Frizzle Could Be Your Wizardsona", & "You're 18 and Dramatic".
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Train That Will Take You," by bold_seer (Ticket to Ride Board Game) @18:00, "weight of heaven," by hwarium (SVT RPF) @42:19, and "@heyitsspiderman," by meggannn (Into the Spiderverse) @1:12:03.
All aboard! We've got ourselves a packed journey ahead, filled with conversations on what control you have over your life, what is meant versus what is true, and how we choose to bridge the distance between ourselves and others. Also, we talk about trains and train-related media a whole lot.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Land's End" by Janissa11 (Supernatural) @13:11, "mercy is a shade of blue" by birdcat (Haikyuu!!) @38:19, and "Sacrifice" by thedevilchicken (Genghis Khan MV) @1:04:04.
This time around we've got something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.... wait, that's not how this goes. We do have a range of fandoms though, and with it some rousing discussion (if we do say so ourselves). We cover the importance of medical care, the unstoppable movement of time, and fantasies of alternate lives.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The River and the Deep Green Bend" by liquidmeasure (1D RPF). The hype horns start coming and they don't stop coming as we roll right into our next 2021 birthday episode!
Nicole is up this time, bringing a treasured fic from the beginnings of her bookmarks. There are AUs upon AUs in this densely packed, wonderfully worldbuilt fic, so tune in for conversation about cowboys, the end of the world, the multiverse, and the greatest villain to ever grace 1D's history.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Dwelling" by aideomai (Harry Potter). Let's get some HYPE HORNS up in here, because it's time for the first of our 2021 birthday episodes!
We return to very familiar territory in honor of Brenna's birthday, and boy did this fic pack a punch. We marvel over the deftness of trope execution, talk about some questionable decision making by adults, and make a truly bold pitch for a soundtrack renovation.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "the ultimate test of cerebral fitness," by psychomachia (Chess) @13:18, "The Rock and The River," by Pi (Spirited Away) @39:12, and "Some Assembly Required," by Untherius (IKEA Commercial) @1:04:47.
We're starting the year off with a somewhat-timely themed episode: Yuletide! For this episode your hosts found fics of varying degrees of niche-ness, and the conversation that ensued went on twists and turns that not even we could have predicted. We uncover the dark secret of chess, discuss the most important work in literary history regarding magical choices, and learn how to just go along for the ride.
Oh boy. 2020 sure was a year, huh? Many things looked different this year, but one thing stayed the same: our love of reading fic. Before we put 2020 behind us we decided to take a look back at what fic & fandoming looked like for us, and give shoutouts to some of the fics that stuck with us the most. Tune in for fic reading stats, emotional reflections, and one of the most dramatic content swerves in Fic Clique history.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "4 Minute Window" by Speranza (MCU) @8:37, "The Girls of Summer" by iamtheenemy (Bend It Like Beckham) @34:14, and "Famous Last Words" by Miz Turwaithiel (Twilight) @1:01:46.
It's the holiday season and you know what that means: it's time for Fic Clique's annual Rec Exchange! In the spirit of things your hosts conducted a mini exchange amongst each other, and the results were.... interesting, to say the least. Hear us put our visualization skills to the test, critique questionable soccer formations, and follow one host down an internet spiral like they have never been on before.
Ah, writer-beta relationships, a storied part of fandom history. In this minisode your hosts discuss what the writer-beta relationship means in fandom and the different ways that it can look. We get into what goals various writers and betas might have when going into a fic, as well as our own personal experiences from both sides.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Patient Intake," by starkraving (Bright Sessions) @12:35, "Roman á Clef," by ellen_fremedon (Stardew Valley) @37:35, and "names in history" by lagaudiere (Good Omens) @1:02:18.
This episode truly gets at the heart of this podcast with some callbacks to Fic Clique lore of old, your hosts being absolutely feral over incredibly niche concepts, and idyllic dreams of a gay pastoral life.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Landfall" podfic by frecklebombfic & Vidriana_pod, original fic by scioscribe (Original Work) @24:41, "vermillion bones (slither through my veins, make a liar out of me)" by princepixel (NCT RPF) @46:15, and "in the room where you sleep" by blurhawaii (BFU RPF) @1:16:19.
Things are looking spooky and scary over on the Fic Clique pod as we bring you our first ever horror-fic-filled episode. We hope these fics will give you a fright -- but not too much (don't worry, your hosts are pretty big scaredy cats themselves.) Intro music is Spook 3 by Peritune: https://soundcloud.com/sei_peridot.
Get ready for a whole lot of hype horns, because it is officially Fic Clique’s one! year! anniversary!!! And wow what a year it’s been. In this episode your hosts take a break from our usual fic format to instead reflect on what this past year has looked like. We share some of our thoughts on how the pod has changed from its inception to now, answer questions submitted by fellow ficlets, and reminisce on some favorite fic discussions and episodes. We are so thankful for each and every one of you who has supported us along the way, and we absolutely can’t wait to see what next year will bring
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "freaky friday," by hardlythewiser (Basketball RPF) @17:45, "Shiver," by Yuu_chi (Haikyuu!!) @46:03, and "Eldritch Detective: The Case of the Startled Salon," by AirgiodSLV, CompassRose, Elle_dubs, Ellejabell, epaulettes, Kess, kitkat50311, mahons-ondine, minnapods, sisi_rambles (The Affair of the Mysterious Letter) @1:12:21.
Have you ever wondered: "which stereotypical high school social category would I belong to based on some pretty arbitrary factors? Am I a jock? A nerd? A pro gamer?" Well, in this episode you get to be all three as we explore sports fandoms both real & fictional, as well as an entire playable game disguised as fic.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "United States v. Barnes, 617 F. Supp. 2d 143 (D.D.C. 2015)" by fallingvoices & radialarch (MCU). This is the very first installment of our fandom classics series! In this series we take a close look at one particular fic that really stands out within its respective fandom. With this one, we get into a hallmark of multimedia fic, what justice can look like, and love confessions that defy the limits of law.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Pairing Pendragon/Merlin" by Anon (Merlin) @15:46, "Skybird" by windsweptfic (Inception & White Collar) @45:12, and "What All This Time Was For," by lady_ragnell (Daredevil) @1:09:09.
This episode is a blast from the past as we all brought fics that originated from a kinkmeme prompt. Be ready to be taken on a trip down memory lane (whether you're ready for it or not).
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "(this is a kind of grief)" by mnemememory (Critical Role) @11:45, "Strange Darling" by etymologyplayground (The Untamed) @36:02, and "his own strange altar" by vxmins (BTS RPF) @57:23.
This episode covers it all - feelings of isolation, deeply repressed emotions, and the nuances of morality. Also, there are some very sexy supervillains.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "make me feel like i'm set on fire" by aucoventry (Girls of Paper and Fire) @18:23, "The Taming of Foxes," by tielan (Pacific Rim) @40:34, and "Incomplete" by astolat (Witcher) @1:08:18.
Come hear us talk about the self referential nature of fic, a movie primed for the fandom experience, and how outside perspectives can wonderfully frame a fic.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "absence of heat, excess of destiny," by theycallmesuperboy (A:tLA) @12:08, "Follow in Your Footsteps," by Sineala (Marvel Comics) @41:30, and "Love Worth Waiting For," by BooklandReeve (Disney) @1:06:29.
We're here with the third installment of our birthday series, and this time around Reid's trope of choice is soulmates! This episode highlights the variety of ways this trope can interact with and have an impact on canon, and also features perhaps the most on brand fic choice one of your hosts has ever brought.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Home for the Holidays" by Lexie (Dream Daddy) @14:37, "The Marvels of Whitby" by Sath (Medieval Manuscript Illustrations) @38:07, and "Out of the Night: An Interview With a Mockingjay" by athousandwinds (The Hunger Games) @1:02:48.
It's Yuletide in July here at Fic Clique! The nature of Yuletide lends itself to a wide variety of fandoms and content, which you can see in our discussions on Marxism, marketing advice, and the politics of journalism. Truly this episode has it all.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "To Keep You Inside" by AirgiodSLV (Shades of Magic) @11:53, "Death of a Sparrow" by ionthesparrow (Pokemon Nuzlocke Challenge) @40:20, and "With My Feet Toward the Stars (let me remember you as you were when you existed)" by kariye (Star Trek 2009) @1:08:12.
We muse on what we can ask from our relationships with others, what humanity looks like beyond the human, and how one author's prose can slap so hard. Also, this outro features a cameo by a Mom of the Pod!
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "your favorite ghost" by augustbird (MCU) @13:24, "Don't Try, Demon" by prosciutto (The 100) @43:41, and "Careful the Tale You Tell" by shinealightonme (The Raven Cycle) @1:11:30.
We tried something brand new with this episode by setting a challenge for ourselves: picking fics with tropes we don't normally read! How well we followed this theme is a little up for debate, but if there's anything this episode shows it's that no two people interpret fic the exact same way.
In this semi-themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "So You Think You Can Dance: Vale" by Opalsong & Syr (RWBY) @13:36, "The Absolutely True Story of the Yiling Patriarch: A Manifesto in Many Parts" by aubreyli (The Untamed) @36:42, and "a hat fashioned from tin foil" by discowing (DC Comics) @1:03:49.
This week, we accidentally created a themed episode! Listen to hear all about how fandom operates in fic, from the art of fancasting to historical RFP to conspiracy theories and more.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The Gates" by xpityx (Witcher) @16:40, "Persistance" by Northland (Persuasion) @46:41, and "Garrote" by downjune (Hockey RPF) @1:14:38.
What pieces of yourself can you sacrifice while still remaining you? Is Persuasion by Jane Austen the most romantic thing ever written in history? When does hockey superstition begin to bleed into religiosity? All good questions, and you can find the answers to them within this episode.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Come to grips with a sky that is gaping" by orphan_account (American Girl) @15:20, "Worldwide Lonesome" by loindexter (BTS RPF) @37:05, and "Fifteen Men in September" by ballantine (Black Sails) @1:11:50.
Hear us lament about being a directionless 20-something year old, relate deeply to deflecting from your feelings with humor, and threaten to take an Ao3 author to court.
In this semi-themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "The Honeysuckle Arch" by junkshopdisco (1D RPF) @16:32, "Try Again" by enjolrolo (TaZ Balance) @45:40, and "Ready, Fire, Aim" by gyzym (MCU) @1:12:36.
In this episode we take a look at fandom habits and history, examining what we turn to at different periods in our lives. We find escapism and catharsis in the mythos of One Direction, reconnect with past experiences by revisiting old fandoms, and discuss hit TV series The Mole.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Like A Steel" by ninamonday (TWICE RPF) @12:27, "Timeshare" by astolat (Harry Potter) @34:10, and "I Don't Wanna Think Anymore" by Annapods & Callabang (Hockey RPF) @1:05:14.
This one's all about the ever-growing nature of fandom, as we discuss cycles of popular fic tropes, how fic can push us beyond our expectations, and what the future of transformative works might look like.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Wild" by Unpretty (Legend of Zelda) @21:18, "A Shot In The Dark" by tsukinofaerii (Teen Wolf) @48:54, and "The Interpreter" by antistar_e (Snowpiercer) @1:12:20.
This episode is all about gen fic! In it, we muse on how meta can shape our understanding of fiction, rediscover the joys of an old fandom, and dig into some spectacular worldbuilding that highlights the evils of capitalism.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "This Has Already Happened" by Mollyamory & Speranza (MCU) @13:35, "The Monsters Without" by Carukia (RT/AH RPF) @40:05, and "The Wee Small Hours" by Chandri (Critical Role) @1:10:30.
In this very special episode we celebrate Nic's birthday by talking about one of her favorite themes, major character death. Listen - we know, we know. We promise this tag is not as scary as it seems. Let us give you a new perspective as we dive into how intensely human it is to care about one another, what stories we consider worth telling, and what we make of the time we have with the ones we care about. In the end, it turns out that grieving can look a lot like healing.
In this themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "This is not a dream" by Aguacates (BTS RPF) @11:45, "dreaming through the decades" by theappleppielifestyle (MCU) @30:12, and "The Denial Twist" by beethechange (BFU RPF) @1:02:33.
This episode is a special one, as it's Brenna's birthday episode! To celebrate she picked one of her favorite tropes - dreamsharing - as the theme. In the midst of it all we talk about the strength of loving yourself, the way authors choose to establish their worldbuilding, and how the liminal spaces of dreams gives you freedom.
Welcome to Fic Clique's first ever minisode! In this one we talk about our personal top fics of the decade, read off submissions that listeners sent in for their own favorite, and wrap it all up with a reflective look on what fandom and fanficiton has meant to us in this past decade. We really put our hearts out there for this one, and we hope you find something that may resonate with you.
In this holiday themed episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Headlights in the Snow" by Saras_Girl (Harry Potter) @9:38, "The New Homeowner's Survival Guide" by almostblue (BTS RPF) @38:23, and "Always Winter" by halotolerant (TinTin/Chronicles of Narnia) @1:02:33.
Listen for some rousing meditations on the oft-blurry line between fanon and canon, why rom coms are keeping you single, and the sparkling magic of childhood fantasies. Wishing you a lovely holiday season, from your hosts to you
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "the blow, when it lands" by anonymous (Polygon RPF) @8:41, "undressed" by theviolonist (1D RPF) @33:09, and "The Love Song of the North American Douchebag" by gyzym (Star Trek RPF) @59:11.
Journey with us as we dig into what makes the bodyswap trope so good, examine a time capsule of bandom history, and ask ourselves what it means to be human.
In this episode of Fic Clique your hosts discuss "Stately Homes of Wiltshire" by waspabi (Harry Potter) @7:21, "what's mine is yours and what's yours is gone" by InvadingThoughts (RT/AH RPF) @38:08, and "the undiscovered country" by indigostohelit (Hamlet) @1:04:49.
Come hear us talk about your favorite Harry Potter character Greg, the collaborative nature of fandom, and why it's totally chill to write love letters to your best friend as long as you end them with "joke". This one's a doozy, y'all.
In this episode of Fic Clique your hosts discuss "all straight lines circle sometimes" by Talahui (Hockey RPF) @6:25, "prismatic" by mahistrado (BTS RPF) @33:14, and "Jamais Vu" by thehoyden (Inception) @57:50.
We get deep into the mortifying ordeal of being known, being compassionate to your younger self, and Dom Cobb's farmers market stand.
In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Resonance" by elanoides (Critical Role) @3:30, "between the salt water, and the sea strand" by CloudCover (Hockey RPF) @26:19, and "YELLOW SQUARE" by dejavu (BFU RPF) @51:40.
Some takeaways from this episode: if given the chance you should definitely unkill your family, magical realism is a complicated thing, and ghosts may be spooky but they can also make for perfect metaphors for your relationships.
In this episode of Fic Clique (our inaugural episode! yay!) your hosts discuss "Love Among the Hydrothermal Vents" by DevilDoll (MCU) @0:51, "The Crown of the Summer Court" by astolat (Merlin) @23:59, and "Every Man I Fall For" by mightbeanasshole (RT/AH RPF) @50:15.
We also learn that Captain America was the first American, Morgana is very hot, and ao3 user mightbeanasshole might also be a prodigy.
Get to know our hosts, our mission, and our format in this intro episode! It's a quick and fun primer that will give you all the info you need for our first episode, which drops in just one week on October 11th! [confetti]