#author-recommended

[reallybadblackoutpoems]

imagination (1963) - harold ordway rugg

"chekhovs cat / schrödingers razor / occams gun"

[throesofincreasingwonder]

"A story doesn't need a theme in order to be good" I'm only saying this once but a theme isn't some secret coded message an author weaves into a piece so that your English teacher can talk about Death or Family. A theme is a summary of an idea in the work. If the story is "Susan went grocery shopping and saw a weird bird" then it might have themes like 'birds don't belong in grocery stores' or 'nature is interesting and worth paying attention to' or 'small things can be worth hearing about.' Those could be the themes of the work. It doesn't matter if the author intended them or not, because reading is collaborative and the text gets its meaning from the reader (this is what "death of the author" means).

Every work has themes in it, and not just the ones your teachers made you read in high school. Stories that are bad or clearly not intended to have deep messages still have themes. It is inherent in being a story. All stories have themes, even if those themes are shallow, because stories are sentences connected together for the purpose of expressing ideas, and ideas are all that themes are.

[incandescent-ruins]

Asian, Adjacent: Utopian Longing and Model Minority Mediation in Disco Elysium by Takeo Rivera

[ellestray]

elle's favorite ateez fics. f = fluff ; s = smut ; sg = suggestive ; a = angst. ✧ = absolute favorites, must read. (only adding notes for these few fics to ensure readability for the overall list!) word count in brackets. last updated: may 2nd, 2024

authors; if you wish to be untagged, please let me know!

currently no individual fic for hongjoong, yeosang & jongho. please refer to the OT8 section, or come back for future updates!

성화 SEONGHWA

✧ [11,1k] plastic flowers — @bobateastay ( f ; s ; a ) ↪ note: this fic revolves around abortion, so please keep this in mind before reading. i read this on a flight— and i don't know if it was the altitude, but it broke me. the author beautifully wrote this, in a way where unconditional love, hope and pain are intertwined. one of the most pleasantly surprising and touching reads i've had on this platform by far.

✧ [2,3k] essence — @hwaightme ( f ) ↪ note: this one is for the poetic, hopelessly romantic fics lovers. everything i've read from this author was beautiful so far! the poetry in this fic was so pretty that i felt the need to share it to my friends... although i usually never share fics out of tumblr. i'm excited to read through more of your writings, bai!

[1,2k] the first snow and being in love — @i-luvsang ( f )

[884] 02:36 — @hwapetals ( f )

[642] adoration — @kisshwa ( f ; sg )

[8,6k] both — @hwaightme ( s ; f )

[200] 10:24pm — @hotteoki ( f )

[986] anguish — @kisshwa ( a )

[n/a] bf texts — @hotteoki ( f )

[79] 9:22pm — @cozykpopblurbs ( f )

[1,6k] i'll be with you — @cheollipop ( f )

[519] lazy make out sessions — @crazyforhwa ( s )

[1,2k] realistic sex — @byuntrash101 ( s ; f )

윤호 YUNHO

✧ [13k + 18,2k] unprofessional attraction ; pt.1 , pt.2 , [tbc] — @jk97 ( f ; s ; a ) ↪ note: i was so engulfed into this fic that i skipped a lecture to continue reading. fics that are heavier nsfw-wise usually aren't my thing, but here, every single line pulled me in. hell, i felt even more insane about yunho after reading this. saying i'm excited about the next chapters would be an understatement.

✧ [14k] closer, face down — @ncteez ( s ; f ) ↪ note: again, although i usually prefer fluff over smut, i absolutely loved this fic... the build up made it so enticing! i don't know if a re-edit still is in the works, but i'd absolutely re-read it regardless!

✧ [84,5k] project: make you love me (series) — @hwaslayer ( f ; a ; s ) ↪ note: pulled an all nighter to read the entire series in one go... it was that fun to read! the relationship was built up at a nice, natural pace, while still keeping the reader on their toes. (this made me very excited about the seonghwa series in progress..!)

[1,1k] bedfellows — @sungbeam ( f )

[1,3k] he knows he loves you — @honeyhotteoks ( f )

[2,5k] convenience store chances — @ohmyamor ( f )

[n/a] boyfriend texts — @koizekomi ( f )

[300] nothing sweeter — @i-luvsang ( f )

[1,1k] nsfw alphabet — @yunhobug ( s )

[425] 3:52am — @edenesth ( f ; sg? )

산 SAN

✧ [3,7k] leave the window open — @sungbeam ( f ) ↪ note: so sweet. so comforting. the kind of heartwarming fic that feels like hot cocoa on a cold winter day. (also made me feel insane about san... but let's not talk about that.)

[1k] always available — @everyonewooeverywhere ( f )

✧ [1,6k] capturing us — @03jyh23 ( f ) ↪ note: another sweet, poetic, hopelessly romantic fic— my favorite kind! finding fics like these always feels like discovering a little treasure. looking forward to all the wips!

[n/a] boyfriend texts — @koizekomi ( f )

[2,6k] take a break - @cheollipop ( f ; s )

[249] 21:23 — @petitemingi ( f )

[350] boyfriend headcanons — @i-luvsang ( f )

[600] one more minute — @seonghwaddict ( f )

[1,3k] no strings, no expectations — @seonghwaddict ( a ; sg ; f? )

[468] stretch marks — @beenbaanbuun ( f )

[475] valentine's series : movies — @whimsicalwritingsandmore ( f )

[n/a] instagram stories with bf san — @lwtqts ( f )

[371] hold me — @cheeseceli ( f )

민기 MINGI

[800] untitled — @cheollipop ( a ; f )

[2,8k] mind over matter — @mingisaddctn ( s )

[256] 23:22 — @petitemingi ( f )

[1k] 23:46 — @seonghwaddict ( f )

[447] princess treatment — @cheeseceli ( f )

우영 WOOYOUNG

✧ [1,2k] broke you heart, i'll put it back together — @dairyminki ( a ; f ) ↪ note: loved this so much that i had to read it twice. something about wooyoung hopelessly in love wanting to fix this... name twin, if you're reading this, hi- i'd be seated for a part 2 if you ever have the time to write it!

[2,2k] vacation — @bobateastay ( f ; s )

OT8

[700] when you don't say i love you back — @jjunberry ( f )

[2,4k] romance tropes — @beenbaanbuun ( f )

[n/a] situationships (texts) ; pt.1 , pt.2 — @yunhoszn ( f )

[2,9k + 3k] as boyfriends ; hyung line , maknae line — @honeyhotteoks ( f : s )

[n/a] sex ban (texts) — @kisshwa ( sg ; f )

[n/a] sending you a pic of themselves (texts) — @bombuni ( f )

[1,3k] outfit turn-ons — @starillusion13 ( sg )

[1,2k] make-up sex — @nateezfics ( f ; a ; s )

[944] showering — @seonghwaddict ( f ; sg )

[1,6k] as boyfriends — @atiny-moon ( f ; sg )

[2,5k] that one specific habit they do that highlights their love language — @sanhwaism ( f )

[1,1k] top 3 kinks — @seonghwaddict ( s )

[2,8k] making out — @sxcret-garden ( sg ; f )

[n/a] asking them to draw a flower (texts) — @eightmakesonebraincell ( f )

if any link is broken, or if i made any mistake when tagging fics— please kindly let me know!

[mysweetsinfulobsessions]

HIJAB BUTCH BLUES by LAMYA H.

Alright, changing it up a bit with my book stuff but this one hit home with me. The author draws very interesting parallels between stories in the Quran and her experiences as a gay muslim woman that are very interesting. And if you think you can’t be muslim and gay, or wear a hijab and be gay, or even tackle muslim culture and queerness in one, then you’re bound to be pleasantly proved wrong with this one.

[noahhawthorneauthor]

Read black books all year long. Keep talking about them, fighting for them, and the people who write them.

Most of these are queer, but some of them are not.

[muffinlance]

EMERGENCY FANFIC PROTOCOLS: ACTIVATED

Hey while AO3 is down

Here is a GDrive link to all my downloaded fics (it's OVER 9,000 2,000)

Mostly Avatar, also The Magnus Archives, Danny Phantom, Teen Wolf, and a few others

Mostly unsorted, some not even intentionally downloaded because the auto-downloader I use is Like That, so consider this a glorified "give me a random fic" button

MAKE SURE TO KUDOS THE AUTHORS WHEN AO3 IS BACK UP

>>> Linkie link <<<

Edit: Note that when AO3 comes back up that link will go dead again... until it's needed, once more

EMERGENCY FANFIC PROTOCOLS: DEACTIVATED

...Until next they are needed

If you were going through these for fic recs, check out my AO3 Bookmarks for the more curated list.

To make your own fanfic backups, I recommend AO3 Downloader or FanFicFare. (I'm not tech support for either; please don't message me for help.)

Happy reading!

[canisalbus]

hi sorry in advance if this is weird but i couldn't for the life of me figure out who machete was reminding me of and just now i figured it out - surku the dog from the moomins. can't remember enough to tell how accurate that is personality wise but something about the image of a distressed pointy-nosed dog shivering in a coat... plus ne on molemmat ahdistuneita queer ikoneita

I love Surku! Surku must be protected at all costs.

If you ask me, he's even more distressed in the comics.

I keep him on my fridge door as well.

But now that we're on the topic of Moomin characters, I must add that I see Machete in various Fillyjonks a lot. The short story Fillyjonk who believed in disasters is one of my favorite pieces of literature ever, when I first read it it shook me to my core, I still revisit it on yearly basis. For someone who seemed so wild and free spirited by nature, Tove Jansson did remarkable job at catching and depicting the essence of anxiety, uncertainty, vague sadness and irrational fears. At least in my opinion.

[the-flying-robins]

Dick Fic Rec List!

Dick-centric

  look back in anger by vechter

Post-Spyral fic that just gets it (lets be real vechter just gets Dick). A lot of wonderful Fab Five moments, hints of Dickroy, and a fantastic look into the mind of Dick Grayson.

  persephone’s in hell by Whiskey

De-aged Dick Grayson. Unstoppable force (Dick) meets immovable object (Jason). Background Dickroy, everyone is present. Set in post-crisis.

  beat journalism by dustorange

After Bruce fires him, Dick becomes a reporter. Amazing Dick and Clark interactions.

Dick&Tim

  a soft place to land by unchosenone

Post Infinite Crisis, post Blockbuster. Two grieving birds.

Dick&Damian

  I’ll Wait With You by Sohotthateveryonedied

Damian steps on a landmine, Dick refuses to leave him alone. 

  The Rule Stands by Engineerd

Time travel brings a  10 year old Robin Dick Grayson to Gotham not long after Damian has been resurrected.

Dick&Bruce

  Got Stepped On All Over by whaleofatime

One of my favorite Nightwing!Dick era Dick & Bruce fics. Bruce pov of Dick’s casual competence.

  riding the blues by TheResurrectionist

One of the best outsider pov fics I’ve read. Dick flees the manor after another fight with Bruce, gets some life advice from a well meaning dad.

  arms tonight by one_step_closer_to_death

Long-term effects of Chemo. Angsty hurt/comfort fic about a father’s love and the one battle he can’t fight.

  License and Registration, Please by rogman

Rookie police officer Dick trolls Batman and the whole GCPD in one fell swoop (non-canon sort of crackfic but very funny) Who knew the Batmobile was actually just a Honda Civic?

Reborn Era

  to be buried alive by FromStarstuff

What we could’ve had if the writers hadn’t forgotten all the women in Gotham during Reborn. Cass and Dick split Batman duties and learn some things about each other along the way.

  the slumber party initiative by ScarlettSwordMoon

Mandatory quarantine in the bunker with Dick, Damian, and Stephanie. An attempt at light hearted slumber party games gets mean quick, turns into an opportunity for growth and acceptance.

Titans

  big d stands for big (demon)or by danishsweethearts

4 out of 5 chapters. Tower’s haunted. Good thing Dick is an exorcist right? Absolutely hilarious, one of the best Titans fics out there.

Dickroy

  It builds and builds and builds by vechter

Dick and Roy Outsiders era, the ones we love the most are the ones we know just how to hurt. 

  heavenly way to die by one_step_closer_to_death

Early Outsiders era. Roy gets seriously injured and flirts with Dick.

  there’s a hole where your heart lies by FromStarstuff

Dickroy through the years, finally getting their act together.

[authoreverking]

🐦‍⬛ Raven Society 🐦‍⬛

The Raven Society is a secret society at the Academy of Magic, known for its unconventional methods and mysterious members. While rumors paint them as dark and dangerous, they’re more focused on unraveling the secrets of magic than anything else. Each member is hiding a secret that will have you questioning who the true villain of this story really is.

Author’s Note: I’m so excited to finally share the Raven Society with you all! These characters have been living in my head for years, and bringing them to life through writing and illustrations has been amazing. I can’t wait to share their Greek mythology-inspired love stories with you. There’s so much magic, mystery, and romance ahead! 😊🏛️🥀

📚 Book: Academy of Villains by Ever King

Learn More: Academy of Villains Series

[duckprintspress]

Celebrate Trans Authors and Trans Characters this Transgender Awareness Week!

Happy Transgender Awareness Week everyone!! We asked our rec list contributors for their favorite books with trans characters or by trans authors, and the result is this list of 20 awesome books, all with trans characters (though some open to interpretation) and most by trans authors! This adds to the list of 11 books we did for Transgender Awareness Week last year. The contributors to this list are: Linnea Peterson, S. J. Ralston, Nina Waters and Shannon.

May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor

Acting the Part by Z.R. Ellor

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows

Dreadnought by April Daniels

The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist by Ben Barres

Fine: A Comic About Gender by Rhea Ewing

Deadendia: The Watcher’s Test by Hamish Steele

Cheer Up! Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier & Val Wise

The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl by Emily Riesbeck

Kim & Kim by Magdalene Visaggio & Eva Cabrera

Submerged by Vita Ayala

Rules For Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore

Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore

The Prospects by KT Hoffman

Brooms by Jasmine Walls

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Free From Falling by E.L. Massey

What are your favorite books by trans authors and/or starring trans characters?

You can see all our favorite books with transgender characters by visiting our related shelf on Goodreads.

See a book you need to buy? Shop our affiliate shop on Bookshop.org to browse these and more books there!

Want to contribute to these lists? Patreon backers at all levels can join our Discord and become reccers with the Press!

[crow-caller]

started playing fallen london cause of your blog and i absolutely love it! Thank u :)

Excellent!!! If I have any power, let it be used to get people to play fallen london and its related games (sunless seas, sunless skies = Survival exploration, mask of the rose = visual novel)

[gege-wondering-around]

The Fics so far + open prompts

all sterek

I'm glad you are alive | E | completed | 140k

the one where Derek and Stiles shares stories, dig up old traumas, patch up wounds and works through it all to make their new relationship works.

Changing months | E | completed | 26k

Derek couldn't handle the month that took away his family once, and he can't handle it when it comes again despite the better condition Stiles helped him reach.

The Emissary Deer | E | completed | 10k

Stiles wanted nothing more than to be in Derek's tribe after he had seen a black wolf in the woods once and he'd be more than capable to enter the alpha's pack by any means necessary, without much regard for what it would mean for his body.

The Memory Book | M | completed | 5.4k

When Stiles found out he had the same illness of his mother, there wasn't much else to do other than accept it, but Derek was right there by his side, staying with him till his last breathe.

Our Unsustainable Weight | E | completed | 6k

Derek is gone, Stiles and Eli ends up together as father and son because of their mutual loss. Although, not all hope has to be lost.

Rightfully Belonging | M | completed | 6.1k | Penny Prompt col.

Stiles has to come to terms with how Scott is treating him. Derek is there to show him the right way and to put together a heart he never broke in the first place.

Matryoshka(s) | E | completed | 24k

Stiles wants to avenge his father's death by the hand of a woman called Jennifer. To do he has to get close to someone else in the Russian mafia: Derek Hale.

A Bed's Blessing | E | completed | 6.2k | Penny Prompt col.

The recent nightmare that stole Stiles of his sleep and gave him shivers made him realize he had enough of a bed that wouldn't allow him to sleep even once, so he decides to do something about it. Derek, after the other's choice, has a surprise to unwrap at home and a bed to share.

I'll update this anytime something comes out, plus i just wanted to see the list so far just to boost myself up for writing more✨️

[lakecountylibrary]

If you liked Camp Damascus, try Hell Followed With Us

and vice versa!

There's a lot to love in both Camp Damascus by @drchucktingle and Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White. As horror novels about queer youth with, shall we say, complicated relationships with religion, they have a lot in common - if you liked one you very well may like the other. Let's take a closer look.

Characters:

Both books feature queer, autistic youth fighting back. The characters are trying to survive in a world created for them by abusive adults and religious institutions that hold power over them.

In Camp Damascus we follow Rose (autistic, lesbian). In Hell Followed With Us we follow Benji (neurodivergent, trans) and Nick (autistic, gay).

Genre:

Both books are horror, but with two distinct flavors. Camp Damascus has more of a creepy factor, while Hell Followed With Us leans more toward gore. In Camp there is some mystery to the evil, but in Hell the evil has a name, a face, an address - and a to-do list.

Both books deal with Christian cults and the horrors of indoctrination. They deal with the characters' complicated relationships to Christianity as an institution and God as a concept. They also both quote Christian scripture heavily.

Vibes:

While both books are horror, they do feel very different, largely because the primary emotion that drives each story is different. In Camp Damascus, it's love. In Hell Followed With Us, it's rage. You'll certainly find both emotions in certain quantities in either novel, but what they primarily put forward distinctly changes the vibe of both books.

-

So there you have it! Two fantastic reads in close thematic conversation with each other - but still quite distinct. If either sounds good to you, do yourself a favor and check out both today!

See more of Robin's recs

[anonabelle]

height difference