#perexcri

[chubsonthemoon]

GUESS WHOSE BOOK ARRIVED TODAYYYYYY SO NOW I GET TO POST PICS!!!!

This is To Hell and Back Again, by dear dear @perexcri. Cover design by @byierficrecs (thank you SO much for letting me use your design!). Binding by me!

I'm not in ST fandom, but I had the pleasure of skimming this fic while I was typesetting, and can I just say? I'm rooting for these kids SO hard. I'd go to hell and back again for them--[GUNSHOT]

But in all seriousness, Leah's writing is whip-smart, sincere, and funny as hell. I cannot recommend it enough to anyone who is a fan of these crazy kids. Her ao3 is a veritable treasure trove of excellent byler stories, which you should absolutely check out right now go do it!!!

As usual, process chatter and more pics, under the cut! <3

WORD COUNT: 144k

FONTS:

Title: Hellprint

Heading/Chapter Headings/Spine Titling: Norwester

C4 Summary: Roboto Condensed

Main Body Text: Garamond

COVER MATERIAL: Epson Premium Presentation Paper Matte, printed on my Epson Ecotank (more on that later baha)

HEADBANDS: Trebizond silk thread in the colors Garnet and Black

EDGE PAINTING: Acrylic paint in Crimson and Black

TITLING: Red iron-on foil for the text and white HTV for my maker's mark. Cut by Charlotte, my Cricut!

BINDING:

This was my first go at a German Bradel binding! I've seen lots of Renegade folks use this method and am so psyched I got around to trying it myself. I modified DAS's approach a bit and tipped on endpapers instead of sewing them in (there were a lot of new things to learn so I decided to shelve sewn endpapers for the next binding XD). I also only had 2.0 mm bookboard instead of 1.0 mm, so instead of layering two of the same boards like DAS did, I instead used one 2.0 mm board and one very thin piece of cardboard to create the groove for the hinge. The original article that DAS bases his video on actually uses boards of two different sizes too--a "thick" board and a "thin" board--but I still want to experiment with DAS's way of doing it, especially since I think it'll be easier to do cutouts on thinner board.

As far as matching the groove with the hinge, I think I did pretty okay for my first try! One board is definitely better fitting than the other though baha. There's always room for improvement, but hey that's where half the fun is anyway (and also you can't tell after the case-in whew), so I'm not stressed about it :D

COLOR SCHEME:

Nearly all of my design decisions for the color scheme were based off of @byierficrecs's gorgeous cover design! They were so generous in letting me use their cover and answering my questions about fonts, for which I can't thank them enough. And with so many wonderful elements to work with, it was so much fun to tease out the elements I loved from their work!

I decided to keep with the theme of red/black, which I also thought was fitting for a ST fic set largely in the Upside Down. Thus, black painted edges with red vines, as a kind of inverted, "upside down" continuation of the cover:

Even the thread I used to sew the signatures is red/black! :3 (please also ignore how the picture of the textblock is not focused on the actual textblock ajsldkfjs it was very late when I took that photo)

COVER PRINTING:

This was my first time printing a cover on my new printer (!!!), and BOY oh boy was it an adventure. Figuring out the dimensions took a second, but not as long as it took me to figure out what settings produced something I was happy with. Behold, all my test prints:

Very long story short, let's just say now I understand why being a prepress color specialist is literally a career you can have in publishing LOL.

Also, for some reason I could only sometimes get the bleed to work? Basically what I ended up doing was painting over the parts where the design didn't quite extend over the turn-ins, using with the same black acrylic paint I used for the edges. You can see this more clearly in the photos I took of the groove, and the endpapers covered the messy bits when I cased in:

THE MAIN INGREDIENT: LOVE

Finally!! The most important part of the process!!! HI LEAH ILY!!!! This fic is special for a lot of personal reasons, but chief among them is LOVE!!!! Your A/N's made me tear up when I first read it, because AH! You read my words of love!!! And went and wrote hundreds of thousands of your own words of love!!! And now I hope I've given that love back once again :3 And on and on we go, ad infinitum, until we are relieved of the curse of literacy and greet whatever comes after all this, thanks be to Todd. But until then, I'm so glad I get to shoot holes out of bagels and scream about radioactive tumblr posts and cry over fake people with you, friend :] Truly, peace and love on FUCKING Planet Earth. We are making it and we will all go together when we--[ANOTHER GUNSHOT]

I'm so excited to see where we're going, and what other stories we have to tell. But for now: EEEEEEEE YOU WROTE A BOOK!!!!!!!

<33333!!!

[starsarefire824]

Byler Fic Recs

Day 2: Season 5 Speculation

drowning on rooftops- by @perexcri

This one has to be one of my favorite byler oneshots ever. it’s beautifully written, sweet, and a little bit sexy. It takes on Mike contemplating the end and what that means while also processing his feelings for Will. The religious themes in it are *chefs kiss*. I think it deserves more attention!

There is A Season- by ghostlin

Speaking of favorite fics. As I said I am the queen of opening and not finishing fics. This one I read in such a whirlwind I feel like I want to read it again just to enjoy the plot. It’s really beautifully written. The author has a unique way of creating atmosphere that makes it stand out in your head. An eerie nightmare with Will comes to mind, and one particularly funny scene with Dustin and Will as Mike is trying to express his feelings about El, or one beautiful scene where Will is laying under an oak tree with his drawings. It’s tagged “mike is dragged kicking and screaming into character development” and it doesn’t disappoint. It explores his coming to terms with his bisexuality and feelings for El and Will with wonderful depth and grace. Anyway, I just made myself want to go reread it and you should too!

closeface- by miketozier (smallcuts)

Some great Robin and Will interaction, Mike hounding Will about the painting, and some Mike jealousy. It skips around in the timeline and I enjoyed it!

kiss me dumb- by @endlesslytea

sometimes you just need a good fight and a kiss in an attic, amirite?

*if any of the authors mentioned are on tumblr and not tagged let me know!

[glum-plums]

Mike would ✋🙄

[rotisseries]

literally my favorite words ever we need a million more of these

[willow-lark]

2, 11, and 21 for the wip asks :D

HI HELLO HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY OMG 💕💕💕

ok confession i have not actually touched any of my wips in three and a half weeks but you know what!! i'm gonna change that AND i am gonna pull up fantasy au pt 2 just for you ✌️🫶 someone Help i Need to get my motivation back 🥲

2. Give the first line of this chapter/fic

Mike is about to kill someone.

11. What scene are you most hyped for this chapter/fic?

honestly the jopper reunion 👀👀👀 it's gonna be so good

21. Share 3 songs that would belong on a playlist for this chapter/fic. 

OHOHO THIS IS A GOOD QUESTION. listen. i am not a fic playlist girly. i have one byler playlist that i have on repeat for all occasions. HOWEVER:

thank you so much for the ask xoxo

wip ask game!!

[boredbyler]

school starts in 3 hours and I haven’t been able to sleep

[astrobei]

popping in to say that this fic by @perexcri has everything you want for this concept and more 🫡

i already said it but that won't stop me from saying it again. byler's first kiss being interrupted at least once is what i need, like, inject that shit in my veins right now. let the will they won't they turn into a when will they and let it fuck with their heads.

let them be interrupted by whoever (jonathan most likely lol) and then go on a mission and all they are thinking is "shit shit shit we almost kissed. it was going to happen. he was closing his eyes. he was going to kiss me back. shit. he wants me back then, right? right. shit shit shit" and they are just losing their minds because even if it's been pretty obvious so far that their feelings are reciprocated, a kiss is the step that will change everything, and something they both want so badly, but they were interrupted and now they don't have time until they are back from the mission to keep planning how to defeat vecna so every time they are around each other they are blushing and staring at each other's lips and it's a whole mess and they are losing their minds

[adventures-in-mangaland]

Dead Boy Detectives: Fic Recs

My latest hyperfixation is Dead Boy Detectives, so oc I've been reading and commenting on a ton of fic. And it's been really nice because the response of the authors has been so warm. I don't think I've ever gotten so many replies so quickly! Also, the fandom has inspired me to actually start writing again for the first time in two years and I've got a great idea for a fanvid. (Any tips on how to make one would be appreciated! 😅)

So in tribute to the lovely fandom, here's a fic rec post (nearly all payneland):

in this city there's a thousand things I want to say to you by laiqualaurelote

Edwin has a sexual awakening and it blows Charles' mind. And other things. Very funny and well written. Also features minor Edwin/Cat King and Edwardian flirting.

I also highly recommend the saviour of the broken, the beaten, and the damned by the same author, which is a kind of multiverse!Edwin fic? Featuring Edwin dying? And Niko time travelling? Trying to save time? Anyway, interesting to see Edwin alive, ageing and in different periods of time/his life.

For the First Time Twice by LikeMmmCookies

Amnesia fic! Charles loses his memories and thinks he and Edwin are married. Very cute (tandem bike date!) and well written, though Edwin's point of view still manages to be angsty. Also, the yearning is off the charts and the most recent chapter turned up the heat.

I guess you're stuck with me by Punny_Puck

AU in which Edwin and Charles actually got married pre-show. Funny, cute with a sweet marriage proposal prequel. Instant comfort fic.

Dance the Night by Gruoch

The gang are hunting an energy-sucking vampire that targets beautiful people, so naturally Edwin MUST disguise himself as the hottest girl in London. This one starts out fun and campy then takes a hard left turn into Serious Business. Prepare yourself for emotional moments, worldbuilding and some really excellent horror.

Long Past Time by sanctuary_for_all

Charles proposes to Edwin post canon. It's a short and sweet established relationship fic with some cool worldbuilding about ghosts and their ability to shape their clothing/appearances.

lay my hands on heaven by Opossum_Subatomic

I had to include a PWP and this is a great one. Extremely well written, in character and romantic. And explicit, obviously.

Data Points by Asidian

Edwin learns to cuddle. It's a production and completely adorable. I love a fic that explores the difference between the boys' physicality and this one's really on point. The writing and characterisation are great and it's nice to see Edwin taking care of Charles.

I also recommend Lanterns In the Dark, which sets the scene for Charles and Edwin's first meeting with some gut-wrenching details about Charles' homelife and Edwin's escape from Hell.

When I Was a Young Boy by flowerbritts

A Good Omens crossover and AU in which Aziraphale is Edwin's adopted father. Family reunions and revelations abound. Also, Edwin gets to be a teenager and slam doors while shouting, as he deserves.

The author has also written Wait, I'm Coming Too, which is a very sweet post canon 'Charles Worries About Edwin and Realises His Feelings' fic inspired by that 'Edwin reading Heartstopper' fanart. Both fics deserve more love!

A Slight Miscalculation by kantigone

Idiots in Love and Didn't Know They Were Dating. Crystal and Niko are the real MVPs, for real. A treat.

Terrible at Keeping Secrets (5+1) by ASingularSadSoggyPringle

Interesting demon!Edwin AU. Charles is a precious cupcake in this fic and Edwin is mostly the same with some Darker moments. I loved the concept and the author adds in some great, creepy details.

somaesthesia by perexcri

Edwin's journey from being touch-averse to touch-starved... at least when it comes to Charles. Palmistry is involved. I loved Edwin's characterisation and the unresolved sexual/romantic tension was on point.

And possibly I like the thrill (of under me you quite so new) by Leandra

Edwin explores his sexuality and re-negotiates his relationship with Charles. Meanwhile, the gang take on the case of a ghost who wants them to matchmake his still-living lover. Crosses over with The Sandman. And Edwin gets to be confident and flirty as a treat.

Always by How You Doing (FancyMeetingYouHere)

Hurt/Comfort fic in which Edwin has a traumatic flashback to the doll-head demon spider and Charles looks after him. Charles reading Good Omens to Edwin is a nice, meta touch.

Made You Look by Baby_Spinach

The agency are hunting an incubus that decides to take on Edwin's appearance. A repression explosion ensues. Fun fic.

Shape Me by dearheartdont

This one's actually a character study of Charles and his mixed race Indian heritage (so no Edwin) and it's so well done. It's also part of a series in progress about Charles growing up in the 80s with all the racism and homophobia that that entails. I look forward to seeing where it goes.

The Most Tender Place In My Heart by coloursflyaway

Edwin shares memories of how he fell in love with Charles, who figures out his own feelings in the process. It's super sweet and involves fun pre-show flashbacks and defintely deserves more attention!

I also loved Won't Fear Love by the same author, in which Charles takes Edwin out on dates and breaks the cuteness scales. And shout out to Good Enough which is the first fic I bookmarked for this fandom! 🥳

Anyway, thank you to all these amazing writers for making this fandom so special! 🥰

[glisten-inthedark]

You heard of Will getting Vecna'd.

You heard of Mike getting Vecna'd.

But I present you with:

BOTH GETTING VECNA'D

Edit: Thanks for the @the--last--great--american--dynasty for giving a fic rec. So if you like this idea and want to read something along those lines, check out To Hell and Back Again by perexcri on ao3.

[starsarefire824]

We Are All Fools In Love

Me, @perexcri​, @thornywords​ are very excited to announce our newest story!!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/45255994/chapters/113853943

Come enjoy some gothic romance with us! <3

[cleric-byers7]

my byler favourite fics rn

make a move - astrobi

baby we’re perfect - bookinit

what a match: i’m half-doomed and you’re semi-sweet - perexcri

tried and true blue - delusionaltogether (whyyyyy)

just smile at the sound - delusionaltogether (whyyyyy)

i bent the truth too far tonight (series) - icariandescent

secrets i have held in my heart (are harder to hide than i thought) - pottersxredheads

i could be your crush - delusionaltogether (whyyyyy), wayward_sherlock

a cruel summer with you - astrobi, wiseatom, andiwriteordie

i don’t wanna change you, i don’t wanna change - jimhoppersfloralshirt

i get lost with you - andiwriteordie

burn off from the rush - astrobi

fall into me - bookinit

i know the end (series) - bookinit

[starsarefire824]

@daydreams-in-the-moonlight​ Wow this was such a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much. It seemed a little serendipitous how this all came together and the three of us are having an absolute blast brainstorming and writing/drawing together, so I am glad it’s coming through in the story! Really, truly means so much to me! <333

Historic AUs are my JAM and we thought it was a tragedy there aren’t very many for this pair because the pining and romance possibilities are endless. And let’s be real, Mike and Will deserve their Darcy X Lizzie Moment. XD

I realize this is a group effort but I’m reaching out to you because you’re the one I interact with the most but holy shit my dude. Started We Are All Fools in Love and I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen such a tour de force of talent… you 3 make an incredible team and I absolutely can not wait to read the rest of this story!! You guys are so incredible! I’ll update you occasionally on my thoughts! Thank you all for your gifts and bringing this story to life!! As always I wish you gentle days ahead 💜💙💚

AHHH Jon this was so nice :') gonna tag @starsarefire824 and @thornywords so they can see it, too!!

i think i can speak for all three of us when i say we're so happy you're enjoying it :D it's been a fun little project we're working on in between other things, so the updates might be a bit slower than some of our other fics, but we've been so thankful for all the people so far who have shown their love for it!! i know me and starsarefire are really enjoying getting to explore these characters in a regency-era setting, and thornywords has been creating some beautiful art to go along with everything T_T it's been so fun, so we're really grateful you're enjoying it, too!!

from what i can tell (at least from what i've seen in other posts lol), i think you and thornywords already know each other?? anyway this is my way of saying that, if you're comfortable with it, you should totally let @starsarefire824 know your thoughts, too!! the next chapter coming up is gonna be theirs, so i'm sure they'd love to hear your thoughts once it's up, if you so desire :D

anyway Jon, this was lovely as always. and i never really said anything else on it, but thank you for your kind words in response to the other aftry ask i responded to! i'm happy to report that i am doing much better now, and i'm patiently excited to see what kinds of chords you're cooking up in relation to that fic 👀

have a good day, my dude!! :] 💜💜💜

[rotisseries]

i think they should start publishing byler fic

[willow-lark]

4, 8, 10, 32, 34, and the last one (i think it was 40 lol) for weird writing asks pls or whichever ones you would prefer bc i picked a lot :]

HI HI HI!!! dw i am going to answer All of these. thank you. <333

(send me a weird writing ask!!)

4. What’s a word that makes you go absolutely feral?

hmm hmmm. let me think on this one. honestly? i think it changes from wip to wip. currently i think maybe "heart"? i'm going through a phase rn where i'm completely obsessed w the idea of will calling mike "my heart" soooo. lol.

8. If you had to write an entire story without either action or dialogue, which would you choose and how would it go?

probably dialogue. i need to work on my description--it would be a fun challenge.

10. Has a piece of writing ever “haunted” you? Has your own writing haunted you? What does that mean to you?

i am haunted every day by every single wip i have ever failed to finish. which is. most of them. lol. but honestly?? i always need a lot of time to mull ideas over before i write them so there's always something haunting my brain, lol.

32. What is a line from a poem/novel/fanfic etc that you return to from time and time again? How did you find it? What does it mean to you?

ummm my favorite quote of all time is mr. darcy's line from pride and prejudice, "my good opinion, once lost, is lost forever." it's a brutal line, and it sounds really harsh to live by, but it gave me the strength to get away from some really harmful/toxic people i was keeping in my life. so i love it

34. Thoughts on the Oxford comma, Go:

always necessary. no exceptions. the oxford comma is the light of my life. it is beautiful. it is the backbone of society. every time someone doesn't use it, humanity as a whole strays further from our roots. i will be an oxford comma enthusiast until the day i die and it KILLS ME on the occasions that i am required not to use it.

40. Please share a poem with me, I need it.

god. the SPEED at which i ran to grab my copy of sappho to answer this one. i can't choose a favorite, but have one under the cut:

He seems to me equal to gods that man whoever he is who opposite you sits and listens close to your sweet speaking and lovely laughing—oh it puts the heart in my chest on wings for when I look at you, even a moment, no speaking is left in me no: tongue breaks and thin fire is racing under skin and in eyes no sight and drumming fills ears and cold sweat holds me and shaking grips me all, greener than grass I am and dead—or almost I seem to me.

[shutuperce]

your fall 2023 byler reading list 🍂🍂

BIG BYLER FIC REC DUMP cause i haven't been writing a lot but i HAVE been reading and y'all need to read these! hope u enjoy as much as i did <3

got your spell on me, baby - @astrobei -Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]

Words: 7,919

TW: none

'To be fair, Will’s costume is great, now that Mike knows what it is. And, okay, wait-

“Oh, this is so good. This is so good.” Max points at Mike, wheezing. “Because you’re dressed as-”

Will’s still looking straight up at the sky. The length of his neck is very, very flushed. Mike can feel his entire face going redder than Vader’s lightsaber. He clenches his hands into tiny little fists, and says, around a groan: “I’m not Han Solo, guys.”'

THE halloween byler fic. the party at college, bi lucas sinclair content, halloween party shenanigans.

these nerds, using star wars to flirt 🙄

background lumax & their amazing couples costume, el & will power sibling duo!!!

bowie references to heal the soul

all in all one of my favourite getting-together fics for this time of year :)

what a match: i'm half-doomed and you're semi-sweet - @perexcri - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]

Words: 28,150

TW: guns, blood, gore (just demodogs though no human gore)

'One month ago, if you had asked Will Byers what he’d do if Mike Wheeler threaded his fingers through his hair, looked him dead in the eyes, and started leaning in for a kiss, he wouldn’t have said this.

He wouldn’t have said he’d be staring right back into those yawning dark eyes, one hand on Mike’s waist, the other against his cheek. There wouldn’t have been any lightning in his veins or blood rushing in his ears.

He wouldn’t have said that Mike Wheeler would be tilting his head in the opposite direction, eyes widening just the slightest as if asking permission, his mouth slightly parted.

He wouldn’t have imagined it at all.'

SO SO GOOD. apocalypse post s4, background jancy and platonic stobin, interruption trope x10000 so it's SO SATISFYING at the end.

WILL WITH A GUN.

jonathan & mike solidarity <3

all in all amazingly well written mike and will being blushing messes. love them. fluff in the apocalypse.

take my hand, wreck my plans - @parkitaco - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]

Words: 6,297

TW: discussion of past trauma

'"I am not taken," he says out of habit, even though he kind of is. He and Will aren't together - he blushes at the thought - but they do spend an awful lot of time together, and Mike doesn't ever find himself wishing he was anywhere else. "Will and I are-"

"Ooh, I didn't even say anything about Will!" Max crows. "Oh, this is excellent."

Mike hides his face in his hands even though she can't see him. "Oh my God. Can you put Lucas back on, please?"

Max cackles in to the receiver, the sound fading as Lucas presumably wrenches the phone out of her grip. "We gotta go, Mike," he says, laughing a little. "Max has class and I'm driving her."

"Tell her she's the worst," Mike grumbles, fiddling with the phone cord.

"Say hi to Will for me!" Lucas sings, and hangs up before Mike can protest.

Mike groans and flops back on his mattress. It's going to be a long year.'

part of a series!! byler college au, friends-to-lovers, background party friendship, AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES. OH MY GOD, THEY WERE ROOMMATES??

taylor swift title... do u really need any other persuasion

the whole series is just AMAZING. mike & will getting a break, living together at college and figuring shit out <3

i might be hoping about this - @astrobei - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]

Words: 15,321

TW: none

'Will lets out a small squawk as Mike’s hand— his very cold, very freezing hand— finds its way around the blankets and under his sweater. “I’m sick, you weirdo,” he says, half-laughing into the side of Mike’s head, “I have a fever.” 

“I don’t care,” Mike mumbles, “you’re warm and I’m cold. This is nice.”

“You’re going to get sick,” Will tries, for the umpteenth time, but it’s pointless. Mike Wheeler is stubborn and hardheaded and he never does anything halfway— not even this.'

established byler at college!! so yeah i have a love of college byler and this is one of my top fics for sure. 2nd astrobi fic on this list because i love their writing <3

will gets sick, mike takes care of him. need i say more?

silly goofy guys living together & doing silly goofy domestic shit

this fic makes me SOFT.

accidentally on purpose - @itsromeowrites - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]

Words: 5,019

TW: none

'It starts out with a kiss. An accidental kiss. Because Mike is sleepy and Will is pretty, and who can really blame him? And then there's another one, just as accidental. But the third? Well, that may be a little more on purpose.'

literally smiling so hard at this fic. like hello. soft secret boyfriends and loads of party content, all the kids are okay <3

established byler, how the party finds out. all fluff all the time. jonathan attempts the Talk. mike has no idea what's going on. et cetera.

background lumax, lucas & dustin being lil shits together, and el using her powers to cheat at splashing games. all in all a good time!

and if I get burned, at least we were electrified - anonymous - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]

Words: 14,958

TW: none

'“I’ll leave you be until lunch,” Max starts negotiating, nodding at him as if that’s a good deal. Which—considering it's Max, it is, but Mike doesn’t want to give in just yet. She sighs. “I won’t laugh about the sweater anymore. Or the weak disposition that gives you stupid allergies all the time.”

Mike’s frown deepens, but she wasn’t as mean as she could have been, so he’s gonna take it. He needs to get this out anyways, or he’s going to keep running in circles as if stuck in a hamster wheeler—an accurate representation of his brain when it comes to Will, really. He presses his lips together and tries to figure out a subtle, non-funny way to say it, but he comes up blank.

Fuck, whatever: “I almost kissed Will. Again.”

Max actually has to cover her mouth with her hand, disguising a worryingly loud snort with a cough. The teacher turns their way and stares, then goes back to explaining the exercise on the board. Mike scribbles it down while Max gets herself under control.

Screw his life.'

senior year, post-vecna. the party being friends but also little shits to each other.

madwheeler bandmates!!!

will steals mike's entire closet

they are Dumb Idiots who are mutually pining from afar

and other lovable tropes. takes place in november so good fall vibes :)

[solwhynot]

Apocalypse Byler based on "To Hell and Back Again", by @perexcri

Please read it, this is my all time favourite Byler fic. It changed so many lives.