S3E8. 2024 Wrap-Up (Or, Stop Treating Fanfic Like Social Media)

The Fanfic Writers' Craft

In this episode, Jo (@pebblysand) & Lani (@copper-dust) reflect on their 2024 fanfiction journeys and podcast highlights. They discuss notable shifts in fandom dynamics, including the growing conversation around engagement and the impact of binge-reading culture on commenting. They share their favourite reads and writers of the year, personal writing milestones, and thoughts on scenes or lines they especially enjoyed creating. They also highlight some fun podcast statistics and celebrate milestones, like their interview on @mindthetagspod.

As you will see, this episode comes with a bittersweet announcement: Lani (@copper_dust) will be stepping back as a regular co-host in 2025. While this was a tough decision for her mostly due to IRL circumstances, I (@pebblysand) want to express my deepest gratitude for Lani’s incredible contributions to the podcast. Lani, thank you for your hard work, your insights, and the amazing conversations we've shared—on and off the mic. I will miss you so dearly! 💛

But for me, this isn’t goodbye! I (@pebblysand) am thrilled to share that the podcast will continue with a new co-host: @btelling, aka Nargles15 on AO3! 🎙️ You may know her for her brilliant dystopian fanfiction The Squib or her guest episode from season one (check it out here!). We’re already hard at work brainstorming fresh ideas for the new season, which will launch in late January 2025. Have suggestions? Let us know—we’d love your input!

Thank you all for an amazing 2024. Your support, comments, and enthusiasm mean the world to us. Here’s to more creativity, connection, and fandom fun in 2025. Wishing you a joyful end to the holiday season! 🎄✨

This week, we mention:

• Books: Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan ; Normal People by Sally Rooney ; Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt ; The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
• Fandoms: Harry Potter ; The Good Wife ; Spooks ; Peaky Blinders ; The Song of Achilles
• Fics: castles by pebblysand ; Merry Men by copper_dust ; Check the Spindle by copper_dust
• Films: Small Things Like These (2024 adaptation)
• Podcasts: [Mind The Tags] Interview with Lani and Jo ; [The Fanfic Writers' Craft] S3E5. Motifs & Symbolism ; [The Fanfic Writers' Craft] S3E6. Money, Business & Economics ; [The Fanfic Writers' Craft] S3E1. Audience ; [The Fanfic Writers' Craft] S3E4. Use of Time in Narrative ; [The Fanfic Writers' Craft] S2E4. Writing Dystopian Hellscapes with @Nargles15
• TV: The Good Wife ;
• Other: Sally Rooney Is Irish (essay)

Our inspirations this year were:

• Lani: Baejax and Johaerys (writers in the Song of Achilles fandom)
• Jo: Sundew (fic) and the podfic version of castles by josnail

Your recommendations for this month are:

• Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
• Wicked (2024 film)
• And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts
• The Boys in the Band (original 1970 film)

You can find us online at:

• The Fanfic Writer’s Craft: tumblr ; spotify ; ko-fi
• Lani (@copper-dust): tumblr ; AO3
• Jo (@pebblysand): tumblr ; AO3