Ylva’s having an ultimate Fanfiction-to-Book Sale, and ex-fanfiction writer LEE WINTER explains the allure of everyday writers fixing what’s broken in straight-centric TV and films.
Okay, picture it: your two TV crushes—hot actresses with so much swagger and sapphic sizzle it should be illegal—are gazing into each other’s eyes. They’re explaining just how much their friendship means. How deep it is. How fulfilling. Soulmates, even…
Sapphic viewers spill their popcorn. Lesbian, pan, and bi besties are all madly screen-capping every time Smirky Actress One looks at Sultry Actress Two’s lips, and they’re uploading said screencaps to social media with hilarious captions.
Wait, was there a breath hitch? Roll back two frames. Oh, yep. Breath. Hitch. Could it get any better? Here’s hoping…
CUE THE RANDOM BLAND MAN
Annnnd next week, one of the women has just met a blandly random man and announced that he’s The One. No chemistry? No problem! The main thing is no homo for the show’s stars! (Side characters, if they must, may come out.)
But mains? No! Batwoman is the exception, not the rule! Phew. Bullet dodged, say the network execs, still congratulating themselves over the previous week’s rating spike.
And that, my friends, is how a thousand fanfictions are born. It’s why ʼships sail and form online armadas of fans who feel queer-baited or unfulfilled by TV and film’s massively hetero universe.
IS A QUEER ROMANCE FOR TV LEADS REALLY SO OUT THERE?
Okay, just as a crazy thought, why is it so preposterous that Once Upon a Time’s Emma Swan—bounty hunter, birth mother of Henry, and official savior—might be an exciting love interest for Regina Mills—town mayor, adoptive mother of Henry, and unofficial Evil Queen? If the leads were a man and a woman, for sure the writers would have gone there. The yin and yang of their backgrounds alone is *chef’s kiss*.
And is it so absurd that Andrea Sachs, awestruck assistant in The Devil Wears Prada, might have developed a super-sapphic crush on her iconic boss Miranda Priestly after discovering how incredible the queen is at shaping the world of fashion?
Don’t start us on Supergirl, Rizzoli & Isles, or the Pitch Perfect movies when it comes to potential being tossed away along with phenomenal chemistry between actresses. We’ll be here all year.
FIXING ALL THAT’S BROKEN WITH FANFICTION
As a former fanfiction writer, the appeal for me is all about fixing shows that went places fans didn’t want them to go. Rewriting the endings. And the middles.
The top two fixes are usually: 1) making the world a whole lot less straight—that is, embracing the chemistry already existing between two women—and 2) un-killing the queer characters we loved.
I was there when sapphic fanfiction first took off in a huge, huge way. I watched in shock and horror in 2001 when a beloved TV warrior princess was killed for no good reason on Xena. I saw hundreds of online friends take to the internet and ferociously type up a storm to undo the unthinkable.
The outrage (and fanfiction output) hasn’t abated since. Not when they killed Tara in Buffy or HG in Warehouse 13 or Lexa in The 100. Fans itch to fix, and fanfiction is a fantastic outlet for doing that.
But it’s not just the fix that draws fanfiction readers; that’s simply the key that opens the door. Once you’re inside, you can discover familiar characters and an emotional rollercoaster that catapults you anywhere you want to go. And, being free, fanfiction is something anyone can write or read and love.
FROM FANFICTION WRITING TO PENNING BOOKS
It’s little wonder that so many novelists got started as fanfiction writers: these amateur scribes penned fixes and explored emotions that they weren’t getting from their shows.
They attracted online followings, improved their skills, and wrote more and more. This snowballed into writing books and—in a few cases (like mine)—a whole career.
More than a few books in sapphic fiction started out as fanfiction or had a character from a TV show as its inspiration. And it’s these stories that Ylva’s proudly embracing for the next three days.
In celebration of all things fanfiction, Ylva is having a sale. Every book in this sale—all 32 titles—were once either a fanfiction or have a lead character inspired by a TV show.
The inspirations for these on-sale Ylva books come from so many sources. There’s The 100, Warrior Nun, Grey’s Anatomy, Supergirl, Once Upon a Time, The Last of Us, NCIS Hawai’i, Holby City, Xena: Warrior Princess, Rizzoli & Isles, Rookie Blue, Law & Order, Glee, The Closer, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
A PRADA OFFICE ROMANCE FOR THE WIN!
Interestingly, the biggest source of inspiration—sparking no less than six Ylva books—was The Devil Wears Prada(DWP). Okay, sure, most of those are by Roslyn Sinclair, but a fair few of our talented authors have written DWPfanfiction too, even if they haven’t created books from those stories. There’s just something about an office setting with an age gap, an imperious ice queen, and a boss/assistant trope.
But, whatever your taste or fanfiction fandom or favorite fictional world, the bottom line is, we have the book for you!
Check out Ylva’s ultimate Fanfiction-to-Book Sale from April 5-7.
* Lee Winter is an award-winning veteran newspaper journalist. Now a full-time author and part-time editor, Lee is also a 2015 and 2016 Lambda Literary Award finalist and has won several Golden Crown Literary Awards. She lives in Western Australia with her longtime girlfriend, surrounded by much fluffy wildlife.
Her latest book is Vengeance Planning for Amateurs.
Those fanfic writers repaired a whole lot of broken hearts and did it with style and finesse.
Most staying true to the character and their character developments.
Forever gratefull to these creatives
I’m grateful too, Chantal!
I discovered fan fiction in the early 2000’s and it completely changed my life. As you say, wrongs corrected, avenues explored that were previously ignored. My sense of self validated with those words others had penned in the absence of seeing someone like me in the mainstream media who wasn’t ‘punished’ in some way for being gay.
I don’t miss those days, Charlie, of the punishing the lesbians. It was a depressing time. It’s a lot better now – thank goodness. But there’ll always be a need, I think.
For me, it was Startrek Voyager and the couple Janeway/ Seven. I read fanfic about them and wrote some myself.
One of my favourite pairings. Especially the Just Between… series.
I’ve searched for that series but can’t find it, who’s the author please?
It’s by GL Dartt. Fifty parts! Here’s a link to “season one”. https://gldartt.wixsite.com/website/season-one
Like some others, I also discovered fanfic back in the Xena days. Della Street, B.L. Miller, Patricia L. Ennis (may she rest in peace), Vera Foster, Vada Foster, Missy Good, just to name a few. I even penned a few, but never had the courage to post them. It wasn’t until years later (and in a different fandom) that I posted my first story on AO3.
Not only is fanfic a great place to “right the wrongs/un-kill,” (I’m STILL livid about that final episode) it’s also a supportive place for people to: 1) dip their toe into writing 2) stretch rusty writing wings 3) practice the craft 4) hone skills. No matter what the fandom, readers are always rabid for new content.
My current WIP actually started out as an uber fanfic. Even though it’s set on a horse ranch in the old west, Janeway/Seven shippers will definitely recognize the framework for my main characters. I consider it to be a private little wink between myself and fans. 🙂
Every. single. person. who has left a comment on my work has been instrumental in building my confidence to where I feel like people will actually be interested in reading my debut novel. Every. single. comment motivates me to keep going.
As of today, I am about to graduate from GCLS Writing Academy and am still working hard to finish my WIP. In addition, I’m working on another novel length Janeway/Seven story. And it’s all because readers took the time to let me know I’m doing something that touches them. There aren’t words enough to express my gratitude.
The authentic fanfic community is truly magical.
What a wonderful evolution! Good luck with your WIP!
I adore reading fanfic especially those couples who ooze chemistry – Devil Wears Prada ( Mirandy) and those that even the actors themselves play into the fandom ie Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Madam Spellman That ship that never sailed was a huge loss so god bless fanfic ♥️
The link is broken since the sale is over, is it possible to see which books fell under that category?
Is the list of books in th Fanfiction-to-Book Sale held April 5-7, 2024 still available? Thank you.
Here you go:
APOCALYPSE + SURVIVAL SHOWS
The 100
G Benson: Pieces
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/pieces-g-benson/
Young Adult romance. Ollie is captivated by Carmen, her new, sixteen-year-old orphaned friend who has a kid brother she’s trying to keep out of foster care. But then Carmen vanishes…
Shaya Crabtree: You’re Fired
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/youre-fired-by-shaya-crabtree/
Contemporary romance. Hitting the road with the hot boss you hate (the same one you accidentally gifted a sex toy to) could ruin a perfectly good vendetta.
KL Hughes: The Art of Us
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-art-of-us-by-kl-hughes/
Second-chance romance. Will a lingering connection between two exes be enough to convince them that some loves are meant to last?
The Last of Us
May Dawney: Survival Instincts
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/survival-instincts-may-dawney/
Dystopian romance. On a dangerous journey through post-apocalyptic New York City, Lynn schemes her way to safety. Her alluring new guard, Dani, won’t be played easily, however.
Xena
Amber Jacobs: Primal Touch
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/primal-touch-amber-jacobs/
Adventure romance. Rumors of a rare white tiger lure a photographer into the jungle where she crosses paths with a mysterious, feral woman who protects the felines.
Amber Jacobs: Nights of Silk and Sapphire
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/nights-of-silk-and-sapphire-nights-of-silk-and-sapphire-book-1-by-amber-jacobs/
Erotic romance. A woman rescued from slavers and placed in a female warrior’s harem, struggles with exciting new desires.
L.T. Smith: Once
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/once-by-l-t-smith/
Contemporary romance. A battered woman learns to love again in a heartwarming tale of overcoming the worst to find the best in life and herself.
COP + LAW SHOWS
NCIS Hawaii
Emily O’Beirne: The Best Mistake
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-best-mistake-by-emily-obeirne/
One-night-to-forever romance. A chance weekend fling becomes an electrifying escape for two strangers—until they meet again under very different circumstances in a professional capacity.
Rizzoli and Isles
KD Williamson: Blurred Lines
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/blurred-lines-by-kd-williamson/
Romantic suspense. When a no-nonsense detective and an uptight surgeon are thrown together by tragedy, the professional lines begin to blur.
Law and Order: SVU
Jae: Conflict of Interest
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/conflict-of-interest-by-jae/
Romantic suspense. A workaholic detective falls in love with a psychologist who is a victim in one of her cases.
Jae: Next of Kin
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/next-of-kin-by-jae/
Age-gap romance. A sexy ice queen lawyer falls for the police officer trying to save her from a stalker.
Jae: Change of Pace
Short story. Set in the Conflict of Interest universe, Kade’s homophobic mom Sophie is roped into helping Kade’s friends, lesbian couple Aiden and Dawn, U-Haul to their new place.
Rookie Blue
Emily O’Beirne: A Story of Now
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/a-story-of-now-a-story-of-now-series-book-1-by-emily-obeirne/
New Adult romance. Brittle, sassy nineteen-year-old Claire knows she needs a life and new friends. The warm, brilliant Mia seems to get Claire like no one has before.
Emily O’Beirne: The Sum of all Things
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-sum-of-these-things-a-story-of-now-series-book-2-by-emily-obeirne/
New Adult romance. In the sequel to A Story of Now, Claire is learning to trust in her new relationship. It’s not easy when no one’s ever given you a reason to trust before.
The Closer
Emily Waters: Honey in the Marrow
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/honey-in-the-marrow-by-emily-waters/
Love-after-loss romance. New widow Stella is facing down middle age alone when she reconnects with the cold LAPD captain she used to be at odds with back when Stella was a prosecutor.
Emily Waters: Two is a Pattern
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/two-is-a-pattern-by-emily-waters/
Romantic suspense. Set in the ’90s, a mission gone wrong leads to CIA operative Annie reinventing herself as a college student while trying not to fall for her beautiful landlord and professor.
MEDICAL SHOWS
Holby City
Lola Keeley: Major Surgery
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/major-surgery-by-lola-keeley/
Contemporary romance. Skilled surgeon Veronica runs her London hospital department with cool efficiency. Her world turns to chaos with the arrival of a hot new ex-army Head of Trauma.
Jenn Matthews: Hooked on You
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/hooked-on-you-by-jenn-matthews/
Quirky romance. Divorced mother and veteran Ollie runs a small crochet class and can’t help but notice her attractive, feisty new student. A shame the woman’s as straight as an arrow…
Grey’s Anatomy
hp tune: Rewriting the Ending
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/rewriting-the-ending-by-hp-tune/
Contemporary romance. A novelist and an upper-class woman have an unlikely encounter on a flight to Europe. Despite only knowing each other for twenty-four hours, the lure is so strong to meet again.
G Benson: All the Little Moments
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/all-the-little-moments-by-g-benson/
Contemporary romance. Anaesthetist Anna must look after two young children battling grief while managing her own loss. Enter a flirty stranger—a nurse who is every kind of wonderful.
IN THE OFFICE
The Devil Wears Prada
Roslyn Sinclair: The Lily and the Crown
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-lily-and-the-crown-by-roslyn-sinclair/
Sci-fi romance. Sheltered space-station botanist Ari is given a slave who is intelligent, dangerous, alluring, and, oddly, seems to know a whole lot about tactics, stars, and the dread pirate queen, Mir.
Roslyn Sinclair: Truth and Measure
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/truth-and-measure-by-roslyn-sinclair/
Ice queen romance. The world’s fiercest fashion editor learns she’s pregnant—and her distracting assistant Jules is the only one she can turn to.
Roslyn Sinclair: Above All Things
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/above-all-things-by-roslyn-sinclair/
Ice queen romance. Truth and Measure’s sequel sees Jules forging her own path while she and her workaholic lover balance romance in the midst of a new baby and a backstabbing boss.
Roslyn Sinclair: The X Ingredient
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-x-ingredient-by-roslyn-sinclair/
Erotic romance. When an assistant shows up with a cute accent and a streak of pink hair, lawyer Diana is sure she’s all wrong for the job. But there’s something so tempting about sweet, sexy Laurie…
Lee Winter: The Brutal Truth
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-brutal-truth-by-lee-winter/
Contemporary romance. Take one ice queen media-mogul boss, an assistant with a crush on her, throw in a truth bet, and as their secrets pour out, neither woman will be the same again.
Lee Winter: The Awkward Truth
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-awkward-truth-by-lee-winter/
Contemporary romance. This spin-off from The Brutal Truth sees lawyer Felicity forced to dig out the secrets of a homeless people’s animal charity and not be distracted by the smoking hot butch vet.
Glee
AC Oswald: Hold My Hand
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/hold-my-hand-by-ac-oswald/
Second-chance romance. Bethany learns why her girlfriend suddenly dumped her. Time is fleeting as the women reconnect and hold onto each other to live every dream they ever shared.
Carrie Byrd: Loser of the Year (out July 2024)
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/loser-of-the-year-by-carrie-byrd/
Enemies-to-lovers romance. After failing at life, Mattie heads home to teach high school theatre…and sparks a war with the soccer coach. But is there more to the annoying coach than spectacle, fire, and ego?
SUPERHERO + FANTASY SHOWS
Supergirl
Alex K. Thorne: Chasing Stars
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/chasing-stars-by-alex-k-thorne/
Sci-fi romance. Superhero Swiftwing is also mild-mannered Ava, assistant to screen goddess Gwen…who she’s also fake dating. (As you do.) If only she could shake her pesky feelings for her boss.
Lola Keeley: The Music and the Mirror
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-music-and-the-mirror-by-lola-keeley/
Age-gap romance. When new ballet dancer Anna isn’t nervous as hell around her ice queen mentor Victoria, she’s falling in love with the beautiful and powerful woman.
Lola Keeley: Presidential
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/presidential-by-lola-keeley/
Contemporary romance. Pediatric surgeon Emily is new to DC and finds herself on a collision course with the feisty US President. But how can you find love when the whole world is watching?
Rachael Sommers: Never Say Never
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/never-say-never-by-rachael-sommers/
Age-gap romance. Corporate shark Camila hires a nanny to help raise her young son. She doesn’t expect the innocent and gentle Emily to apply—a college student who is everything Camila is not.
Once Upon a Time
Ana Matics: The Return
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-return-by-ana-matics/
Second-chance romance. A series of bad decisions force Liza to return to her small coastal hometown after nearly a decade. She must learn to heal, makes amends, and rebuild her life all over again.
KL Hughes: Popcorn Love
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/popcorn-love-by-kl-hughes/
Age-gap romance. New York City’s fashion legend Elena goes on a string of blind dates. After each one, she discusses their quirks and failings with her son’s alluring, free-spirited babysitter.
AJ Schippers: Shadow Haven
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/shadow-haven-by-aj-schippers/
Erotic romance. On Julia’s holiday on a private island she meets a beautiful professional dominatrix. An explosive first meeting turns into friendship and something a little more…kinky.
Olivia Janae: The Loudest Silence
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/the-loudest-silence-by-olivia-janae/
Ice queen romance. On day one of cellist Kate’s new orchestra job, she is surprised by the board’s intriguing president, Vivian, who comes with a formidable reputation…and who is also Deaf.
Olivia Janae: Colstead & Andie
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/colstead-and-andie-by-olivia-janae/
Celebrity romance. A series of awkward chance encounters at a convention lead fan Freddie to wonder the impossible: What if the sexy, cop-star actress she admires so much isn’t straight?
SUPERNATURAL SHOWS
Warrior Nun
Jennifer Giacalone: Art of the Chase
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/art-of-the-chase-by-jennifer-giacalone/
Romantic suspense. When a notorious art thief surfaces, warring detective exes reunite in a thrilling chase that fuses the fine line between love and hate.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Thea Belmont: Principle Decisions
https://www.ylva-publishing.com/product/principle-decisions-by-thea-belmont/
BDSM erotic romance. A no-strings-attached agreement with a dominatrix seems perfect for a sexually frustrated academic, until she learns the other woman’s real identity. And why did feelings have to get involved?