Join Cat Dionisio as she chats with fanfiction authors who are now creating original content. We'll cover topics from fandom pressures, traditional and self-publishing, marketing, and more.
WARNING NSFWWell, Cat hadn’t planned on coming back to the podcast until the second season was planned. She came across a short story in her Facebook feed that just begged to be reviewed/read out loud. Kissing the Coronavirus by M.J. Edwards is a satirical, science fiction, erotic pile of hilarity. Available on Amazon for $.99 or included with Kindle Unlimited, it’s worth the laugh. Or you can just listen to Cat break more than Pete Davidson on SNL.
"But one of the biggest reasons I have chosen this moment to leave fanfiction isn’t just because I finished Addicted, but because our current social climate made me realize a lot of things. I’ve had a lot of time to think about what it is to be a first-generation American, POC, woman creator, and I have felt a lot of guilt and complicity amplifying the voice of a now-controversial white author, only writing white characters, and not even speaking as an American in my own voice. "Listen to the podcast for the full statement.
SEASON FINALE: Episode 12 of Original Characters.Today’s guest is Jessi aka Shaya Lonnie, best known in the Harry Potter Fandom for her works, The Debt of Time, Presque Toujours Pur, and Safe Word is Devil’s Snare. This is a big, heavy, topical episode and we will be talking about COVID-19, creativity, mental health, and some contributing factors. Join us as we discuss, Writing with Anxiety—Therapy or TriggerFollow Jessi:ShayaLonnie on all social media and both FFN and Ao3www.shayalonnie.weebly.com
Episode 11 of Original Characters. I’m your host, Cat Dionisio. Before I introduce this episode’s guest, I want to thank all the new listeners, and for letting me be your quarantine entertainment. On today’s show, I have Kelly Blanchard. She cut her teeth writing fanfiction for the Star Wars fandom, and remains an advocate of fanfiction writing, especially as she nurtures emerging writers as “the Muse” in online writing communities. Best known for her sci-fi/fantasy epic series, The Chronicles of Lorrek, Kelly has taken these characters from fanfiction, to vanity press, to self-publishing, and now to indie publishers, Fallbrant Press. Join us as we discuss, The Publishing Journey.
Episode 10 of Original Characters! I’m your host, Cat Dionisio. Hey everyone? I’ve lost track of days and time. I just know that a podcast episode had to go up. This time, I had on my good friend, Rachel Mitchell on the podcast. Known to the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones fandoms as LR Earl, this published author is no stranger twisting lore. We went on many tangents about family, hiatus, prioritization, personal limitations, constructive criticism, and so much more. We talked literally for about 20 minutes just about our kids and e-learning. Don’t worry. I cut it out. I just missed her bunches! Join us as we discuss: Inspiration from Lore, Myths, and Life ItselfWhere to find Rachel:On Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/readsbyrachelm/ On Twitter:https://twitter.com/readsbyrachel
Episode 9 of Original Characters! I’m your host, Cat Dionisio. How’s everyone holding up? I hope you’re okay! This episode, I chatted with Jessica Page, also known as Tofadeawayagain. I found a kindred spirit. We talked about being super emo, our love of angst, and of course, we couldn’t avoid talking about COVID-19. I know you’re getting sick about talking about it, but I promise you, it’s SUPER relevant to Jessica’s writing. Join us as we discuss: When Science Fiction Becomes Prophetic
Episode 8 of Original Characters! I’m your host, Cat Dionisio. Last episode was sweet and wholesome. This one is not. This episode is chock full of swearing, excessive flattery, existential crises, fandom pressures, deep thoughts on cultural identity, and five epic rounds of Fuck, Marry, Kill with Olivie Blake, whose name I butchered more than once, and Little Chmura. So this edit, you won’t hear Little Chmura talk for over 20 minutes. That’s because she left. Coordinating a time for people in Poland, Florida, and California to talk all at the same time is really difficult. Olivie and I thought we could just slide our additional segment right in, but we ended up talking for WAY longer than expected. We hope you don’t mind. Join us as we discuss: Collaboration.Disclaimer:This episode was recorded before the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak. Any comments that now seem insensitive were not intended. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, PlayerFM and more.Where to find Olivie:https://www.olivieblake.com/https://archiveofourown.org/users/olivieblakehttps://www.amazon.com/Olivie-Blake/e/B01MS0CF5G/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1Where to find Little Chmura: https://www.instagram.com/littlechmura/https://littlechmura.tumblr.com/tagged/featured
Today we touch the more wholesome side of fanfic! Laura and Anna, grew up homeschooled with the freedom to express their creativity and love of fandoms at an early age. And as my kids have transitioned my kids to e-learning while we shelter in place, I am so thankful to have been able to talk to the Brisbois sisters about their homeschool experiences.Writing mainly Rate K–T fanfic for their favorite cartoons and anime, the two sisters remind us that there is great content across all ratings. I also got to learn a little bit more about what a developmental editor is, and how they could help you in the early stages of the publishing process. Join us as we discuss: Families in the Fandom.Disclaimer:This episode was recorded before the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak. Any comments that now seem insensitive were not intended.
Episode 6 of Original Characters is finally here. It’s a short, but heavy one. Cat gives you a short glimpse into what it’s like to lose a close family member to COVID-19 and the effects of grief on creativity. Also, please excuse the nervous laughter. It's a grief coping mechanism.
Episode 5 of Original Characters! I can’t believe we’re already here! I’m your host, Cat Dionisio. Today we have the lovely Kelly who is also known as Writerspassion18 in the Harry Potter fandom best known for Happily Divorced. Kelly has also self-published the middle-grade fantasy novel, The Keeper’s Key, as Kelly Ashley on Amazon. Join us as we discuss: Preparation and DedicationFollow Kelly:Writerspassion18https://www.facebook.com/writerspassion18/https://m.fanfiction.net/u/6596946/https://archiveofourown.org/users/writerspassion18/worksKelly Ashleyhttps://www.facebook.com/kareaders/https://www.amazon.com/Keepers-Key-Kelly-Ashley/dp/1520840039
Our fourth episode is here! Join Cat as she sits down with Midnight Valkyrie aka Francis Tupelo aka Jamie to discuss, “World-Building a Series.” A veteran of the Twilight Fandom and currently writing for the Harry Potter Fandom, Jamie is working on an epic fantasy series. A few warnings this episode: we discuss politics, not only in fiction, but being blue in a red state, discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, and sexual themes. Jamie’s plugs:https://archiveofourown.org/users/MidnightValkyrie/pseuds/MidnightValkyrie https://archiveofourown.org/works/22117129/chapters/52788106 https://www.fanfiction.net/~mvalkriehttps://noncanonlove.tumblr.com/
Our third episode is here! The enthusiastic, lover of fantasy and television fanfic and author of Princess of Undersea, Leslie Conzatti, sat down with me to discuss, “Canon, Fanon, and Making it your own.” Join us as we gripe about poor continuity, learn more about Independent Press, and why we love canon fanfic.Leslie’s Recs and plugs:https://www.wattpad.com/user/KartheyMhttps://www.facebook.com/LeslieConzattiWriter/https://upstreamwriter.blogspot.com/https://smile.amazon.com/Princess-Undersea-Timeless-Leslie-Conzatti-ebook/dp/B01MSWZRUU/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_8217842112?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0&ie=UTF8https://www.endlesspress.org/http://punkwriters.com/
WARNING: Some adult language including swearing and sexual innuendosOur second episode is here! The wonderful Julie sat down with me to discuss “Scriptwriting and Narrative Fiction.” We discuss the trouble with having dual lives, the similarities/ differences between scriptwriting and narrative, our collaborations, translating fanfiction into original work, and the power of female writers!Follow Julie: https://archiveofourown.org/users/LovesBitca8https://twitter.com/LovesBitca8https://lovesbitca8.tumblr.com/https://www.facebook.com/GenerationMEthemusicalhttps://www.instagram.com/juliejuliesoto/Like the podcast? Support Us on Ko-Fi!https://ko-fi.com/saintdionysus
It’s our first episode! The wonderful Josie Moone sat down with me to discuss “Starting the Journey to Original Content.” We discuss jumping from fanfiction to original content, pen names and privacy on social media, fangirl over Greta Gerwig, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Olivie Blake, and scratch the surface when it comes to authors and mental health. Also, please forgive my sniffling! I’ve been battling a cold for weeks!
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
