Snowflake Challenge #12

[tjs_whatnot]

 

Challenge #12 Create a Rec Countdown

I know I'm obscenely late and who needs recs anyway? Oh, but wait, maybe now is the perfect time to rec, after the season is over when you're done reading all the stories your had bookmarked to read, after you've checked out all the communities/ discords/ books that everyone has already suggested. Here I come out of the kindness of my woefully procrastinatey heart with a post just for you. YAY ME!

First:

The Top Only 5 Stories I Wrote This Year

The first two are for (SURPRISE! SURPRISE!)  Green Creek--Wolfsong and Heartsong respectively, and yes, I do have a Ravensong one in the works, but it sort of got away from me a little bit and I'm not sure how much of a WiP I want to post. But, until then... here have some fluff and angst. ❤️

Not Yet (330 words) by tjs_whatnot
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Green Creek Series - T.J. Klune, Wolfsong - T.J. Klune
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Joe Bennett/Ox Matheson
Characters: Joe Bennett, Ox Matheson
Additional Tags: Character Study, Relationship Study, attempt at prose
Summary:

Ox comes to understand what those two little words mean...
 

I Just Know (1098 words) by tjs_whatnot
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Green Creek Series - T.J. Klune, Heartsong- T.J. Klune
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Kelly Bennett/Robbie Fontaine
Characters: Kelly Bennett, Robbie Fontaine
Additional Tags: Missing Scene, Book 3: Heartsong, Memory Loss, Canon Asexual Character, Touching, Everyone Needs A Hug, Kissing, Not Beta Read
Summary:

Robbie isn't ready. Kelly knows this. He knows that for every memory of them being in love and being too precious to be real, there are memories of a monster. A monster that looks like him. Has his eyes. His jawline and his snarl. A monster that turned on his own pack, who tore, who ripped flesh from bones. A monster who liked it.

So they wait. While they wait, Kelly is his memory, and it is enough.

And these next two are for Heartstopper. One is a fluffy little meet- cute that I wrote for the 99 day Countdown to season 3 that was really fun to participate in. The second one was a fic I worked on all summer and was my first multi-chapter, WiP story EVER. Weird, but true. I mean, I've written longer things, but I always had them written before I started posting. And, shamefully, I've posted other WiPs, but again,  this is the first one I've finished. 😱😱 Super proud that I actually finished one. 

63 Days: ISO Mr. Darcy (1170 words) by tjs_whatnot
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Heartstopper (Webcomic), Heartstopper (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Nicholas "Nick" Nelson/Charles "Charlie" Spring
Characters: Charles "Charlie" Spring (Heartstopper), Nicholas "Nick" Nelson, Elle Argent, Original Child Character(s)
Additional Tags: Meet-Cute
Series: Part 38 of 99 Moments of Discovery: A Heartstopper Countdown
Summary:

Charlie is a Children's Librarian. Nick is a single father.

The Third Rail (22482 words) by tjs_whatnot
Chapters: 27/27
Fandom: Heartstopper (Webcomic), Heartstopper (TV)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Nicholas "Nick" Nelson/Charles "Charlie" Spring, Tara Jones/Darcy Olsson, Elle Argent & Isaac Henderson & Charles "Charlie" Spring & Tao Xu, Tara Jones & Nicholas "Nick" Nelson & Darcy Olsson, Michael Holden/Victoria "Tori" Spring
Characters: Charles "Charlie" Spring (Heartstopper), Nicholas "Nick" Nelson, Tao Xu, Isaac Henderson (Heartstopper), Elle Argent, Darcy Olsson, Tara Jones, Michael Holden (Solitaire), Victoria "Tori" Spring
Additional Tags: Red String of Fate, Slow Burn, POV Third Person, POV Alternating, Alternate Universe, Angst with a Happy Ending, Canon-Typical Behavior, including mentions of self harm, mentions of eating disorders, Bi-awakening
Summary:

Two New York City transplants, trying to find a place to belong might find each other, if they pull on the right end of the Red String that brings them together.

And, this last one was my Yuletide contribution (only wrote one this year). And I was super jazzed to get this book assigned to me. ❤️❤️. I had originally gotten the idea to write a completely different story that uses a scene from what I THOUGHT was in the book, and expound on its theme. It wasn't until I re-listened to the book (TWICE)  that I realized it wasn't in the book, it was from a fic that I read right after I'd finished the book that first time. 😱😱 *awkward* Oh well. So, I instead, deep-dived into NYC queer history and wrote this. 

Pennies From Heaven (3067 words) by tjs_whatnot
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: We Could Be So Good - Cat Sebastian
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Andy Fleming/Nick Russo
Characters: Andy Fleming, Nick Russo (We Could Be So Good), Sal Russo (We Could Be So Good)
Additional Tags: Historical References, The first pride was a riot, Period Typical Language
Summary:

In the years since Andy and Nick began making sense of each other's lives, they kept themselves out of danger and in the margins.

Until they came for Sal.
 

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Four Green Creek fics Everyone Should Read

Okay, I know what you're going to say, T.J. this fix is not even finished! I know! But still, it is one of the best things out there and does such a great job of telling Joe's perspective during Wolfsong (and the world needs all of that it can get!) Seriously, give it a read.

Lupercalia (37640 words) by Luxfordian
Chapters: 10/12
Fandom: Green Creek Series - T.J. Klune
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Joe Bennett/Ox Matheson
Characters: Joe Bennett, Ox Matheson, Carter Bennett, Kelly Bennett, Thomas Bennett (Green Creek), Elizabeth Bennett (Green Creek), Mark Bennett, Maggie Callaway, Frankie
Additional Tags: Character Study, Angst, Domestic Fluff, Age Gap Angst, Mentions of past abuse, Family Fluff, Being a Teenage Werewolf is hard, Pining
Summary:

Snippets of Joe's perspective during Wolfsong.

Featuring Carter and Kelly being amazing brothers (and also assholes), Joe being a hot mess for seven years (while Ox is just hot), ALL the angst, a surprising amount of Frankie, an unsurprising amount of masturbation and also a happy ending.

*This next fic didn't have a Share button so I can't make it all fancy, but that's okay, I'll do my best without it, because it's another Joe Through Wolfsong story that is just so achy and beautiful (and finished). It *is* in 2nd person, is that's a no for you, but it's such amazing 2nd person, the kind that grabs you and doesn't let you go.
on the warpath cause i love you just a little too much by brophigenia

The next two recs are for the end of the series, so is you haven't read Brithersong, LOOK AWAY!  

The first one was written for me for Yuletide and it's Chris and Tanner centric and it warms my aro heart. ❤️

Best Mates (2881 words) by plumeria47
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Green Creek Series - T.J. Klune
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Chris Alexander & Tanner Reeves
Characters: Chris Alexander, Tanner Reeves, Ox Matheson, Gordo Livingstone
Additional Tags: Platonic Relationships, Platonic Soulmates, Werewolves, Book 4: Brothersong, Canon Compliant, Asexual Character, Aromantic, Yuletide Treat
Summary:

What prompted Chris and Tanner to become platonically mated, and how did they accomplish it?

This last one is written by my favorite Green Creek author because they just infuse so much of the story with Klune-levels of angst and specific to Klune language choices and it's EVERYTHING!  This one gives some great perspectives that weren't in the final book. Highly recommend! 

Brother, I Watched the Sky Burn (2030 words) by thetickingclock
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Green Creek Series - T.J. Klune
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Joe Bennett/Ox Matheson, Mark Bennett/Gordo Livingstone, Kelly Bennett/Robbie Fontaine, Chris Alexander & Tanner Reeves, Carter Bennett & Kelly Bennett, Elizabeth Bennett & Mark Bennett, Carter Bennett & Joe Bennett & Kelly Bennett, Joe Bennett & Gordo Livingstone, Jessie Alexander/Dominique (Green Creek), Thomas Bennett & Gordo Livingstone
Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Post-Book 3: Heartsong, Book 4: Brothersong, Missing Scene, Mind Control Aftermath & Recovery, Magical Tattoos, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Character Death, Family, Everyone Needs A Hug, POV Multiple, Spoilers for Brothersong, unedited, no plot just vibes, I wrote this on my phone in an airport, after driving through the mountains listening to the audiobook, Trauma
Summary:

They run until they collapse. They howl until the sounds become screams, bigger than the world.

But there’s love here, this time. There’s a wolf in his head, singing. There’s love here, despite all the burning, despite all the breaking.

(Moments with the pack in the year without Carter)

 

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Three Communities Everyone Should Join (2 Discords and 1 on Facebook--yeah, yeah, I know--YIKES!)

Green Creek This one was started after a few of us exhausted what Tumblr had to offer and we still wanted more. It's not as active as I'd want it to be, but I'm partial to it, and I want it to be all it can be, so need you all to join! 

Hashtag Luciver This one is all things Alexis Hall (not just Luc/Oliver as the handle inplies) and honestly, it's a place to talk queer lit in general. It's also not as active as I'd like and could use some new blood. 

Klunatics on Facebook Okay, I know it's Facebook, but hear me out. This is THE place to go for all your Klune loving needs. Some of the people who run this site are old school-friends with a self-published author who made it big and never forgot his OG beta readers-a place where narrators of his books hang out-a place where original content is shared first (they even had a podcast!). And it is ridiculous and I love it. 

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Two Book Kickstarters That Everyone Should Support and Then Own


If you're here from my Harry Potter days, you're probably familiar with this one. If you're here from my Queer Lit Obsession days and wish you had a series of books that was a bit of a Fuck You to Rowlings Ravings, have I got the stories for you. And now, we can make it pretty(er).

Cecilia Tan's Magic University This link will take you to the Kickstarter,  and this link will take you to her DW post where she talks a little more about it. 

And this next book's Kickstarter I found on another Queer Lit Discord (that I would also recommend, but only if you like a bit of GayDrama and an overwhelming amount of chatter with your lit-talk).

The book is called Everything Not Saved and I believe it is this author's debut novel. Here is the Kickstarter page to tag more about it. 

I just really like the idea of finding alternative ways to support authors. I mean, if I'm going to buy books anyway, why not support them in the actual making of them too? 
 

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One Author Everyone Should Know 

Alexis Hall. 

I know, I go on and on about T.J. Klune (and I will continue to do so), but I really want to recommend Hall, not only their books, but them as a writer, them as a reader and them as a person. And yes, I'm using them and they pronouns because while he says in the grand scheme of things, he doesn't much care what he's called, he prefers they/ them. So, yeah...

This is a really good time to get into their work. Not only are they re-releasing a lot of their work now that they've gotten their rights back (think of them as Hall's take on Taylor's Versions of previously released music) but they're also writing a lot of new material (he, material. See what I did there?) 

So, first, Hall as a writer. Not only do they write some of the best relationships, but they really,  REALLY put a lot of thought into EVERYTHING they write. I'll say this a million times, but really, you can't go wrong with starting on your Hall journey with the Spires series for the author annotations alone. 

They just have so many impossibly deep thoughts on practically everything. 

Like,  what they read. Which brings me to Hall as a reader. He is one of the only successful authors I know who actually reviews others' books! Them and Dorothy Parker. (I have to believe Hall would be thrilled with that comparison 😄) I would link you to some of their reviews, but Goodreads on my phone sucks and won't give me links. But they're not hard to find. And this brings me to Hall as a person.




They are BY FAR the most engaged successful author I've ever known. Yes, they respond to almost all comments left on their Instagram (okay, yeah, it's most likely their assistant, Mary) but still... they are a team.

It's just... they're just... lovely. And they write so many genre bending things. I can't rec them enough. Tell me what you're into and I'll rec you one of their books. ❤️❤️

Comments

[profiterole_reads]

I love Magic University. <3

[tjs_whatnot]

I'm excited to finally own it! ❤️❤️

[seleneheart]

I've just tagged one of their books on my 'to read' list.

[tjs_whatnot]

Ohhhhh, which one? I've loved them all to different degrees. ❤️❤️

[nonesensed]

Oooh, I've had "The Affair of the Mysterious Letter" on my to-read list for a while - looks like I need to bump it up in line so I can check out something by Hall 😊 And the Green Creek series sounds interesting! I'm a sucker for wolf-shifters 😁 If I get hooked on the Green Creek books, I'm definitely checking out your fics 💖

[tjs_whatnot]

Ahhhh, The Affair of the Mysterious Letter is such a wonderfully strange book! I hope you enjoy it. I'm always curious to see where people start on their Hall journey and how that influences their continued enjoyment. I started with their lighter and fluffier stuff, and it prepared me well for all that was to come.

And ahhhhhhh! Green Creek! I can NOT recommend it enough. If you do decide to read it, feel free to hit me up with any and all your thoughts and feelings. I'm like a vampire for this series, I relive it all over again with every person who shares their experience with me. ♥

[nonesensed]

I don't remember where I got TAotML recommended to me, but it'll be interesting to see what it's about 😊 I do tend to enjoy books that are strange (be it strange in plot or strange in structure - I adore both This is How You Lose the Time War and House of Leaves), so that sounds promising!

It turns out my local library has most, if not all, of the Green Creek series, so I've put in an reservation for the first book today 😊 Will absolutely let you know when I've read it - I love talking books 💖

[tjs_whatnot]

I think TAotML is Hall's strangest book, I think they described it as queer Sherlock Holmes from outer space. 🤣🤣

They have one coming out next year that they're saying is Queer Moby Dick in space. 🤣🤣

Ahhhhh, I love libraries! I got the audios from my library apps and spent months just listening over and over. ❤️❤️

[nonesensed]

A queer Sherlock Holmes from outer space sounds like exactly my kind of thing 😁 I'm also all for Queer Moby Dick in space!

Libraries are wonderful 💖💖💖 I've gotten my hands on Wolfsong now, and will be diving in after work tomorrow 😊

[tjs_whatnot]

I've gotten my hands on Wolfsong now, and will be diving in after work tomorrow

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

I'm so jazzed for you!

[nonesensed]

I am hyped too! See you on the other side 😉

[tjs_whatnot]

It will take everything in me not to harass you daily with:

Where are you know?
What's happening?
Have you met Gordo?
Have you met Mark?
Joe?
😍😍😍😍

[nonesensed]

I know that urge 😆 Currently I'm about halfway through book 1 and having a good time 😊 The summary on the back of the book gave me slightly different expectations on what the focus/pace of the book would be than what it actually is, but once I recalibrated my expectations I've been reading non-stop.

Gordo is my favorite thus far - we'll see if that stays the same by the end of this 😁

[tjs_whatnot]

Yeah, it isn't described quite like the Coming of Age this first book read like, but JFC watching Ox and Joe grow up is a thing of beauty.

If Gordo is still your favorite at the end (and he is sort of amazing) you are going to LOVE the next book. Ox was my favorite, so I was hesitant to read the next one, but by the end, Gordo was very much my Ride or Die... until I read Heartsong... 🤣🤣🤣.

[nonesensed]

It can definitely be rough to continue a series that switches main/POV character(s) between book 1 and 2, but sometimes it can also be so rewarding 💗

I really enjoyed Ox as a character, but now I'm curious to see what the pack and other characters look like through Gordo's eyes! 'Cause I love Ox, but he gives pretty much no info about the people around him other than their names and that he likes them 😆 Which I think suits him as a character! He's very clear about his own inner life and self-doubts etc, but it makes sense that he wouldn't think to explain what he and his friends actually do>/em> together, other than like one brief mention of playing video games. I will admit that right now I couldn't tell you the difference between Kelly and Carter to save my life, other than that one of them moved out and went to college for a bit 😅


And now I'm very curious to see what happens in Heartsong to change your opinion about Gordo (or that made you more Ride or Die for another character) 👀👀👀

[tjs_whatnot]

Haha! Yeah, Ox sometimes doesn't get nuances. 🤣🤣 That's hilarious about not knowing the difference between Carter and Kelly, because yeah, I get that. They very much were the Fred and George is this book, the comic relief with very little differences. Of course, the asexual, middle child in me loved Kelly the most, but Carter, *sigh* he knows how to make a room painfully uncomfortable and I adore him for it. ❤️

But yeah, you'll get much more nuanced and distinct understanding of both brothers (and everyone else) in Ravensong. You'll also get some back story, a different perspective of the 3 years they were gone, and then the story repelled forward. Until it's someone else's turn to tell the story in Heartsong. ❤️❤️

Each book is told from a different member of the pack and I remember when I started Heartsong, I was baffled "This guy? Why this guy?" But JFC is it amazing.

But never fear, Gordo remains spectacular! ❤️❤️

[nonesensed]

Looking forward to getting to know Carter and Kelly better! Plus getting to see Ox through other people's eyes 💖

I'm very curious what went down during those three years and who will be narrating Heartsong 👀👀👀 And glad to hear Gordo doesn't suddenly turn awful 🩵🩵🩵