Criticism
Mary Sue
From self-inserts to imagines, how young women write themselves into the narrative.
Latest
Episodes
Episode 44: Mary Sue
Breaking down the term “Mary Sue,” from its history to its evolution to the way it’s being reclaimed today.
Episodes
Episode 43: A Fangirl Goes To Hollywood
Riverdale writer Britta Lundin discusses making the fan-to-pro leap—and straddling the fan/creator divide.
Episodes
Episode 42: Fresh Out Of Tokens
A conversation with Tanya DePass, founder of I Need Diverse Games, on fighting for equity in gaming.
Episodes
Episode 41: Fandom Trumps Hate
Two organizers from the “Fandom Trumps Hate” fanworks charity auction on harnessing fandom for good.
Episodes
Episode 40: Axanar [Lawsuit Intensifies]
A conversation with Rob Burnett, the director of the planned Axanar fan film, on Paramount v. Axanar.
Episodes
Episode 39: Fansplaining!!! On Ice
Anime journalist Lauren Orsini joins us to discuss the form through the lens of Yuri!!! On Ice.
Episodes
Episode 38: The Year In Fandom 2016
Social media, fan/creator interaction, and mangling the term “fanfiction”: our annual year in review.
Episodes
Episode 37: Queer YA and Beyond
Scholar Emily Roach talks about queer YA literature and how it connects—and doesn’t connect—with fandom.
Episodes
Episode 36: There’s No Place Like Home
Can you return to a fandom you’ve outgrown—or one whose problematic elements overshadow the good?
Episodes
Episode 35: No Escape
Recorded in the days following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, we are...sad.
Criticism
Trumped is the New Jossed
In this year’s political fanfiction, it’s hard to keep up with reality.