#28 Shifting Into Werewolf Romance + Omegaverse

We're back with another episode all about werewolf romances! If you haven't listened to part 1 (episode 27) then go do so now so that you don't miss out! In this episode we "chat" with author Dennis Danvers, get into the nitty gritty of omegaverse, look at the different tropes that live in the werewolf-verse, and ponder the import of our conscience on romantic fiction.Content Warning: This episode contains more explicit references in regards to fanfiction writing and especially omegaverse. Themes of dark romance, shipping, and erotic fiction are mentioned.Terms:Breton Lay (lais) - a story format that features short narrative poems, related to romances, fabliaux, and folktales. They plausibly or conventionally claim to derive from songs sung by the ancient Bretons or Britons in their own language. “Bisclavret” is Breton (The Bretons are a Celtic ethnic group native to Brittany. They trace much of their heritage to groups of Brittonic speakers who emigrated from southwestern Great Britain, particularly Cornwall and Devon, mostly during the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain.)Omegaverse - an alternate universe (AU) of speculative erotic fiction that started in the Supernatural fandom. Within this universe, characters are categorized as "Alphas," "Betas," and "Omegas;" Alphas are the highest ranking in this fictional universe's lupine hierarchy, and whether male, female, or any other gender, are typically characterized by dominance and aggression. Betas are essentially humans and are subject to the same biological functions like menstruation, but typically are not paired with either Alphas or Omegas. Omegas are the lowest in this fictional hierarchy, and can be impregnated regardless of gender. The genre often crosses over with internet subculture "mpreg," which revolves around male characters getting pregnant. They're typically characterized as submissive to Alphas, and in many stories, have little to no agency in A/O relationships. Fanfiction (ie. fanfic) - Speculative fiction, often published online, and written by fans.Wattpad - a website and app for writers to publish new user-generated stories.[5] It aims to create social communities around stories for both amateur and established writer.A03 (aka Archive of Our Own) - best-known arm of the Organization for Transformative Works, a nonprofit organization created "to serve the interests of fans by providing access to and preserving the history of fanworks and fan culture in its myriad formsFated Mates - Think of it as a cosmically-arranged pairing; they're destined to be togetherTrope - a common literary theme or deviceAlphahole - An alpha male whose bossy and/or stubborn tendencies go too far, causing the reader to imagine kicking him repeatedly instead of being wildly attracted to him.Lumbersexual - a man that has adopted certain style traits that are typical of the traditional lumberjackMetrosexual - a heterosexual male with a strong interest in fashion, appearance and other lifestyle characteristics traditionally associated with womenBooks/authors we mention:Red Wolf by Rachel VincentHouse of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. MaasWarlord by Gena ShowalterShift (bear shifters) by Ruby DixonRejected by Jaymin EveShelley LaurenstonChristine FeehanPatricia BriggsCharlaine HarrisNalini SinghKresley ColeShifter books we recommend:Breaking Badger by Shelly LaurenstonA Hunger Like No Other by Kresley ColeBig Bad Wolf by Christine WarrenClaimed by JR WardPride mates by Jennifer Ashley