Episode 2: Diving Into Fanfiction with UglyGreenJacket

Host Leah Jones opens up the floor to a corner of the internet built entirely on heart, passion, and immense creativity: fanfiction. While the mainstream world might cling to outdated stereotypes, Leah presents a brilliant case for why fanfiction is truly the glue that holds fan communities together. From fixing frustrating plot points and exploring "what if?" scenarios to watching major publishing houses scout these very forums for the next big romance novel, fic writers are doing incredible, high-caliber creative work completely for free. To take us deeper into the life of a fic writer, Leah is joined by one of her favorite authors, UglyGreenJacket. In this cozy, candid conversation, they dive into: The Origin Story: How a childhood love for Sailor Moon turned into a 20+ year journey of lurking in fandoms before finally taking the leap to write. The "Heated Rivalry" Spark: What inspired her to break a year-and-a-half writing hiatus to dive into the Heated Rivalry fandom—connecting deeply with the chaotic energy of Ilya and the structured vibe of Shane. Hardcore Coding & Procrastination: The surprisingly archaic coding required for custom formatting on AO3 (thank goodness for MySpace training!) and her frantic, deadline-driven Sunday writing process. Creative Escapism: How writing humor and romance serves as a vital mental break and coping mechanism from her heavy day job as a school counselor. Whether you are a seasoned AO3 lurker who understands the sheer commitment of a good "one-shot," or you are entirely new to the world of fan-created fiction, this episode is a beautiful love letter to the writers who keep our favorite universes alive. Find episode notes, social links, and more at culturecovenpod.com. Don't forget, our premiere week launch is still going strong—be sure to head right over to Episode 3 next to check out our conversation on visual fanart! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices