Fic Recs: Novel Lite Edition, part 1
May. 5th, 2025 09:59 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
themorikelifeHello and welcome to the start of what I hope to be a wonderful series of fanfiction recommendations. I have a couple themes in mind for future entries. For now, we're kicking things off with an interesting storytelling concept I've encountered: fanfiction that doesn't require knowledge of the original canon to enjoy.
Now, you can argue that all fanfiction doesn't require knowledge of the original canon to enjoy it. And indeed, I know there are people out there who read fanfiction for fandoms they know nothing about! I am not one of those people, alas, but I have encountered fics that do away with the original source material entirely to re-create our beloved characters in scenarios and situations that have nothing to do with canon.
I enjoy these types of stories; I think of them as a more accessible way to write a novel. You see, writing a novel is hard. There is so much to consider when you're putting everything together, and it takes forever if you do it as a hobby. And getting published is a nightmare in and of itself.
I can go on about the phenomena. But until then, I have a curated selection of fics that fall into this and a few other criterion. We are starting things out with the fandom that lured me into fandom spaces: The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir. These are fics from that fandom that are ~11,000 words or less, and feature the beloved ship Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus.
I found these fics on my own during my own reading habits and have bookmarked them after reading them. I tend to bookmark fics that I liked so much I would want to re-read them at a later date.
Waiting and Better Days by badgerjaw
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Word Count: 8,902
Additional Tags: Sickfic, First Person Direct Address, Runaway AU
Why I Rec It: This remains one of my favorite fics in any fandom. The first person direct address is very well done, and I find myself lost in the feels upon re-reading it. It inspired me to write an original short story based on the backstory of this fic.
The Flames of Hell are Warm by silverapples
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 7,079
Additional Tags: Burlesque
Why I Rec it: I am low-key in love with stories that feature a character coming out to themselves. This is one of those stories, and it does so in a way that almost frames my own experiences, which is probably why it resonates with me. I also love that the title sets forth the theme of this fic: it's cold in the cult, but it's warm where the devil sits.
Holy Cross, Alaska by softieghost
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 10,263
Additional Tags: Character Study, Suicide Ideation, Emotional Hurt/Comfort
Why I Rec It: This is another fic that does a deep dive into the perils behind mental health and how finding a connection with someone, no matter how reluctantly made, can be an act that saves a life.
Long DXstance by stormfet
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Word Count: 7,673
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Radio, Fluff and Angst, Mutual Pining
Why I Rec it: This fic was originally written for the 2024 TLT Holiday Exchange, of which I am a mod. Someone wanted a Ham Radio AU fic, and stormfet mightily delivered. I am absolutely charmed by this fic, and I hope it charms you too.
well I walked into your dagger for the last time by GingerAlchemy
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 7,622
Additional Tags: Rich Kid Crash and Burnout Era, Sexting, Dominance, Angst
Why I Rec It: This fic is what literary fiction wants to be. Our characters are all dicks, but I find myself rooting for them regardless. This fic also takes the tag "rich kid burnout era" and runs with it so well it's bound to win a race.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on my rec list. If you read TLT fanfiction, were you already familiar with any of these fics? If you haven't read TLT or it's fanfiction, which of these fics did you click on to read? I've love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Now, you can argue that all fanfiction doesn't require knowledge of the original canon to enjoy it. And indeed, I know there are people out there who read fanfiction for fandoms they know nothing about! I am not one of those people, alas, but I have encountered fics that do away with the original source material entirely to re-create our beloved characters in scenarios and situations that have nothing to do with canon.
I enjoy these types of stories; I think of them as a more accessible way to write a novel. You see, writing a novel is hard. There is so much to consider when you're putting everything together, and it takes forever if you do it as a hobby. And getting published is a nightmare in and of itself.
I can go on about the phenomena. But until then, I have a curated selection of fics that fall into this and a few other criterion. We are starting things out with the fandom that lured me into fandom spaces: The Locked Tomb Series by Tamsyn Muir. These are fics from that fandom that are ~11,000 words or less, and feature the beloved ship Gideon Nav/Harrowhark Nonagesimus.
I found these fics on my own during my own reading habits and have bookmarked them after reading them. I tend to bookmark fics that I liked so much I would want to re-read them at a later date.
Waiting and Better Days by badgerjaw
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Word Count: 8,902
Additional Tags: Sickfic, First Person Direct Address, Runaway AU
Why I Rec It: This remains one of my favorite fics in any fandom. The first person direct address is very well done, and I find myself lost in the feels upon re-reading it. It inspired me to write an original short story based on the backstory of this fic.
The Flames of Hell are Warm by silverapples
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 7,079
Additional Tags: Burlesque
Why I Rec it: I am low-key in love with stories that feature a character coming out to themselves. This is one of those stories, and it does so in a way that almost frames my own experiences, which is probably why it resonates with me. I also love that the title sets forth the theme of this fic: it's cold in the cult, but it's warm where the devil sits.
Holy Cross, Alaska by softieghost
Rating: Mature
Word Count: 10,263
Additional Tags: Character Study, Suicide Ideation, Emotional Hurt/Comfort
Why I Rec It: This is another fic that does a deep dive into the perils behind mental health and how finding a connection with someone, no matter how reluctantly made, can be an act that saves a life.
Long DXstance by stormfet
Rating: Teen and Up Audiences
Word Count: 7,673
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Radio, Fluff and Angst, Mutual Pining
Why I Rec it: This fic was originally written for the 2024 TLT Holiday Exchange, of which I am a mod. Someone wanted a Ham Radio AU fic, and stormfet mightily delivered. I am absolutely charmed by this fic, and I hope it charms you too.
well I walked into your dagger for the last time by GingerAlchemy
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 7,622
Additional Tags: Rich Kid Crash and Burnout Era, Sexting, Dominance, Angst
Why I Rec It: This fic is what literary fiction wants to be. Our characters are all dicks, but I find myself rooting for them regardless. This fic also takes the tag "rich kid burnout era" and runs with it so well it's bound to win a race.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on my rec list. If you read TLT fanfiction, were you already familiar with any of these fics? If you haven't read TLT or it's fanfiction, which of these fics did you click on to read? I've love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
