Mind the Tags Pod

Welcome to Mind the Tags, a podcast about the history and evolution of fanfiction.

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"There's milk in this cookie!" with fic author and AI detective T

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee, Emily, and special guest T explore the growing intersection fanfiction and generative AI. T discusses a project he worked on to identify AI in fics across multiple fandoms, the repercussions of sharing those findings, and how writers and readers can respond to AI in the future.

"There's milk in this cookie!" with fic author and AI detective T | Mind the Tags

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee, Emily, and special guest T explore the growing intersection fanfiction and generative AI. T discuss

Sources from today's ep:

Fandom Has a Generative AI Problem document

2026 Heated Rivalry AI Accusations and Fanfiction Harassment Controversy on Fanlore

Calling All Marcus Chens, Martinezes, Thornes, Mayas, Vances, Old Man Tibers on Reddit

Heated Rivalry is at the Center of Fanfic’s AI Reckoning by Kayti Burt for Fansplaining

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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V fast, E furious with This Week in Fandom History

On this special crossover episode, Emily and Vee and joined by - wouldn't you know it - Emily and V, the cohosts of @thisweekinfandomhistory! We talk about the fandoms that shaped us (looking at you, Ducktales), fanfiction we love, and the possibility that one of us might be a reincarnated passenger from the Titanic. 

V fast, E furious with This Week in Fandom History

On this special crossover episode, Emily and Vee and joined by - wouldn't you know it - Emily and V, the cohosts of This Week in Fandom Hist

Sources from today's ep: 

V's epic Hunger Games companion book

The American Girl Doll anthology

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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Anne Rice’s vampires don’t sparkle

Join Emily and Vee as they explore the fascinating career of Anne Rice, from her Vampire Chronicles to the Jesus-y stuff. Emily details Anne's problematic relationship to fanfiction, which culminated in the infamous "Spec Writer Massacre." Warning: at least a third of this episode is giggling about Bryan Fuller's pride month posts on Instagram. 

Anne Rice's vampires don't sparkle

Join Emily and Vee as they explore the fascinating career of Anne Rice, from her Vampire Chronicles to the Jesus-y stuff. Emily details Anne

Topics include: Anne Rice, Vampires, Interview with the Vampire, Lestat, fanfiction

Want to support Mind the Tags? Sign up for our Patreon! Have ideas for the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Sources from today's ep:

QUEER LOVE! brought to you by Bryan Fuller

Flop House Mini 152 - Pride

Whump on Fanlore

What exactly is whump? on Reddit

White Wedding by Kathleen J. Woods

Anne Rice on The Vampire Chronicles Wiki

Tom Cruise IWTV thread on Reddit

Anne Rice interview about gender

Interview with Anne Rice about creating Lestat

Anne Rice on identity, gender, faith, and writing IWTV on Reddit

alt.books.anne-rice on Fanlore

Anne Rice’s war on fanfiction: The Spec Writer Massacre by shasha not sasha

Where has Anne Rice fanfiction gone? on Croatoan Fanfic

Spec Writer Massacre on Fanlore

Our episode with Marc Greenberg, Esq on copyright and fanfiction

How fan fiction is conquering the internet and shooting up book charts by metrowebukmetro

The Sleeping Beauty Quartet on Wikipedia

Happy pride to Louis and Lestat

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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To the sausage machine! With OTW volunteers Elin and Brian

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily are joined by two volunteers from the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), Elin (Communications committee) and Brian (Accessibility, Design, and Technology committee). Elin and Brian share their experiences as volunteers and some of their favorite things about AO3, from its founding in 2008 to its debut as a Alpha in 2026. Plus, just how MANY subtances can be used as lube?

To the sausage machine! With OTW volunteers Elin and Brian | Mind the Tags

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily are joined by two volunteers from the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW), Elin (C

Sources from today's ep:

Committees of the OTW

International Fanworks Day on Fanlore

Skins and Archive Interface

Tumblr x AO3 on Fanlore

Tumblr post about Tumblr x AO3

Spambot Comments on AO3

Spotlight on Omegaverse at AO3

AO3 is Exiting Open Beta!

Archive Roadmap 2013

Our episode with Carley, fanfic translator and author

Donate to the OTW

Volunteer at the OTW

Sign up for the OTW newsletter

OTW code on Github

THE SAUSAGE MACHINE

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. Thank you Ollie for editing our sound!

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Get out your vore, Shakespeare

Join Emily and Vee as they discuss all the ways in which literature has inspired fanfiction, from tropes and characters to Shakespearean style. Plus, Vee starts a "Get Our Your Vore" campaign, Emily throws serious shade on Odysseus, and they both struggle to pronounce Richard Siken's name for a full minute.

Get out your vore, Shakespeare

Join Emily and Vee as they discuss all the ways in which literature has inspired fanfiction, from tropes and characters to Shakespearean sty

Topics include: Literature, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Poetry

Want to support Mind the Tags? Sign up for our Patreon! Have ideas for the pod? Email us at [email protected]

Sources from today's ep:

MerMay on Instagram

Vore on Fanlore

Our episode about fanart

The Allusionist podcast

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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Alexandra Romanoff mmmbopped her way through fandom and you can too

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Emily is joined by Alexandra Romanoff, author and fandom journalist. Zan discussed her recent article about fanfiction in Vogue and her favorite things about writing in fandom communities. Plus, Emily and Zan take a trip to AO3land.

Alexandra Romanoff mmmbopped her way through fandom and you can too | Mind the Tags

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Emily is joined by Alexandra Romanoff, author and fandom journalist. Zan discussed her recent article abou

Sources from today's ep:

The Fan Fiction That Made Me a Writer by Alexandra Romanoff

Devil Angel from the The Hanson Fan Fiction Archive

Vacation Self by Alexandra Romanoff 

Zan's website

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. Thank you Ollie for editing our sound!

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Be the fanfic reader you want to see in the world

Join Emily and Vee as they take a trip on a magic carpet through comments, kudos, and all the things that make up the fanfic reading rainbow. They also dive into some of the ways readers can help keep fanfic spaces like AO3 safe and fun for readers and writers alike. 

Be the fanfic reader you want to see in the world

Join Emily and Vee as they take a trip on a magic carpet through comments, kudos, and all the things that make up the fanfic reading rainbow

Sources from today's ep:

The sex ed bakeshop

I am in your walls on Reddit

Our episode on writing fanfiction

a guide to fanfictions: where and how to find good fanfics — by i read this and that

How to find and read Fanfiction: Beginner Tips for navigating Archive of Our Own (AO3) by AliceTheGamedev

Fan Fiction: How to (and why you SHOULD) read fan fic by Johanna Draper Carlso

An AO3 Algorithm Would be Horrible, Actually by Kelly Martinez

How fan fiction went mainstream by Danielle Hewitt and Noel King

The Rec Center

Someone keeps accusing fanfiction authors of writing their fic with AI, and nobody knows why by Adi Robertson

The Endless Appetite for Fanfiction by Elizabeth Minkel

OFMD Rareships Bluesky

Vee's fic reader flowchart and tips from listeners on Bluesky

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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The One Direction to hockey RPF pipeline with Sacha Judd

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily discuss all things RPF with fandom writer and researcher Sacha Judd. Sacha talks about her journey across fandoms and the inherent eroticism of smashing your paper dolls together. Plus, Vee and Emily put out an official call for cohost RPF (which Emily may or may not start writing).

The One Direction to hockey RPF pipeline with Sacha Judd

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily discuss all things RPF with fandom writer and researcher Sacha Judd. Sacha talks about her j

Sources from today's ep:

Our RPF episode

The RPF Question by Sacha Judd

Tinhat on Fanlore

Lucy Dacus on Las Culturistas

Everyone is wrong about M/M except me by Allegra Rosenberg

Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Wikipedia

The Seattle Kraken embraced thirsty ‘BookTok’ hockey romance videos. It backfired. by Daysia Tolentino

Everything Breaks at Scale - Beyond Tellerrand May '22 by Sacha Judd

You can find out more about Sacha here. 

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. Thank you Ollie for editing our sound!

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This podcast ep was inspired by [insert Hozier lyric here]

Join Emily and Vee as they discuss all the ways the music inspires and influences fanfiction, from authors incorporating lyrics into their stories to titles inspired by Hozier and Taylor Swift. Plus, Vee introduces their idea for a Jurassic Park drag number, and Emily begs the listeners to help make it happen.  

Topics include: Songfic, music, playlists, 8tracks 

Want to support Mind the Tags? Sign up for our Patreon! Have ideas for the pod? Email us at [email protected].

This podcast ep was inspire by [insert Hozier lyric here]

Join Emily and Vee as they discuss all the ways the music inspires and influences fanfiction, from authors incorporating lyrics into their s

Sources from today's ep:

Rule 63 on Wikipedia

4chan on Wikipedia

Our episode on Filk

Songfic on Fanlore

Our episode with Freya Marske

8tracks on Wikipedia

Social Media AU on Fanlore

Parallel Lines by Kings of Convenience

I Believe by Caroline Polachek

What songs have the biggest grip on AO3 writers? by Josepthunder on the AO3 subreddit

I found AO3 fic titles for every lyric of Sugar, We're Goin' Down by Fall Out Boy by Red the Mudkip on Youtube

The Postal Service Songs & Fic Titles by sprinklecipher on Tumblr

My Immortal (Harry Potter story) on Fanlore

Get Him Back ★ Edward Teach (+ Stede Bonnet) | OFMD by mxltinfinityx on Youtube

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. Thank you Ollie for editing our sound!

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WTF is up with ATYD and other hot takes with Elizabeth Minkel

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily chat with returning guest @elizabethminkel about the latest trends in fanfiction, including the book deal for "All the Young Dudes," the Heated Rivalry of it all, and Fansplaining's new look.

WTF is up with ATYD and other hot takes with Elizabeth Minkel | Mind the Tags

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily chat with returning guest Elizabeth Minkel about the latest trends in fanfiction, including

Sources from today's ep:

"All The Young Dudes getting published?" from the Harry Potter fanfiction subreddit

Remus/Sirius on Fanlore

Marauders on Fanlore

Our interview with fandom law scholar Marc Greenberg, Esq.

"Agents Are Looking for the Next Heated Rivalry on Fanfic Sites" by Jasmine Vojdani

"The Endless Appetite for Fanfiction" by Elizabeth Minkel

"Heated Rivalry's Author Clears Up The Claim It Started As Marvel Fanfic" by Dylan Kickham

"Girls Who Love Boys Who Love Boys: When did everyone start fujoing out?" by E. Alex Jung

Fansplaining.com

The Rec Center

You can find out about Elizabeth's projects here.

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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Into the Pit: SuperWhoLock's Lasting Influence on Transformative Fandom

Join Emily and Vee as they plumb the depths of SuperWhoLock, the infamous fandom phenomenon that still strikes fear into the hearts of Tumblr users far and wide. They discuss the great convergence of Supernatural, Dr. Who, and Sherlock fans and the effect each show had on transformative fan works. Plus, Emily delivers another report from the Supernatural trenches. 

Topics include: SuperWhoLock, Supernatural, Dr. Who, Sherlock

Into the Pit: SuperWhoLock's Lasting Influence on Transformative Fandom | Mind the Tags

Join Emily and Vee as they plumb the depths of SuperWhoLock, the infamous fandom phenomenon that still strikes fear into the hearts of Tumbl

Want to support Mind the Tags? Sign up for our Patreon! Have ideas for the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Sources from today's ep:

Dead batteries on urban dictionary 

I'll be in my bunk on TV Tropes

SuperWhoLock on Fanlore

Tumblr creation date finder by Tumblr memories

SuperWhoLock generator by lokilover1578

Queerbaiting on Fanlore

[Sherlock Fandom] A Not-So-Short History of #TJLC, the Conspiracy Theory That Divided a Fandom from the r/HobbyDrama subreddit

The Johnlock Conspiracy on Fanlore

Johnlock meta and authorial intent in Sherlock fandom: Affirmational or transformational? by Melissa A. Hofmann

11 Years Ago, BBC's Sherlock Betrayed Fans With An Infamous Decision That Killed The Show by Adrienne Tyler

Mishapocalypse on Fanlore

DashCon on Wikipedia

An Ode to Ten Years of Superwholock by Maddie Agne

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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Interview with Carley: Fanfic Author and Translator

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily interview Carley, a member of the Our Flag Means Death fandom who both writes their own fanfiction and translates works to and from Chinese. Carley discusses their approach to translation, cultural differences in fandom, and the inherent badassery of cursing in Chinese.  

Interview with Carley: Fanfic Author and Translator | Mind the Tags

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily interview Carley, a member of the Our Flag Means Death fandom who both writes their own fanf

Sources from this episode:

Simplified Chinese on Wikipedia

Blocking of AO3 in China on Fanlore

Lofter on Fanlore

Weibo on Fanlore

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. Thank you Ollie for editing our sound!

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Hear ye hear ye! We're looking for a volunteer to run the Mind the Tags Instagram account - could it be you??

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What Were YOU Doing at the Devil’s Sacrament: Real Person Fiction

Join Emily and Vee as they tackle real person fiction (RPF) and all that it entails, from fanfiction to biopics. Plus, Vee creates a new evidence-based RPF chart for your everyday use. 

Topics include: Celebrities, real person fiction

What Were YOU Doing at the Devil's Sacrament: Real Person Fiction | Mind the Tags

Join Emily and Vee as they tackle real person fiction (RPF) and all that it entails, from fanfiction to biopics. Plus, Vee creates a new evi

Want to support Mind the Tags? Sign up for our Patreon! Have ideas for the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Sources from today's ep:

Lemon on Fanlore

The Citrus Scale by imetyouonljpodcast

RPF on Fanlore

"This is a deepfake!": Celebrity scandals, parodic deepfakes, and a critically speculative ethics of care for fandom research in the age of artificial intelligence by Eva Cheuk-Yin Li and Ka-Wei Pang

Vee's RPF Acuity Scale

The Seattle Kraken embraced thirsty ‘BookTok’ hockey romance videos. It backfired. by Daysia Tolentino

Parasocial interaction on Wikipedia

Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity, from Bronze Age to Silver Screen by Greg Jenner

Why one small American town won’t stop stoning its residents to death by Charlotte_Stant

Paul McCartney Said He Once Masturbated with John Lennon: "It Was Good Harmless Fun" by Starr Bowenbank

Emily's mom reacting to the Paul McCartney news

Grandma Heated Rivalry gift by margarettiktokgod

Bandom (Decaydance+, My Chemical Romance) on Fanlore

Stephen Colbert King of Glory dance

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Interview with Sex Educator Rae and Data Scientist Makenzie

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily interview Rae and Makenzie about their research into kink representation in enemies-to-lovers Harry Potter fanfiction. Rae and Makenzie describe their process for reviewing millions of words of fic (for science!) and how fanfiction can help educate and inspire readers. 

Interview with Sex Educator Rae and Data Scientist Makenzie | Mind the Tags

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily interview Rae and Makenzie about their research into kink representation in enemies-to-lover

Sources from this episode:

Hogwarts After Dark: Consent, Kink, and Queerness in Harry Potter Fanfiction: Recording | Resources | The annotated spreadsheet

Rae's website

smitten's a bad look on me by arrowsandbows

stuck in the seams by spudcity

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. Thank you Ollie for editing our sound!

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So You Wanna Write a Fanfic: Tips and Tricks for Getting Started

Join Emily and Vee as they discuss the ins and outs of writing fanfic, including coming up with ideas, choosing a writing platform, and sharing your work online. Plus, Emily shares her latest fandom adventures in a little show called Supernatural.

Topics include: Writing, publishing, editing

So You Wanna Write a Fanfic: Tips and Tricks for Getting Started | Mind the Tags

Join Emily and Vee as they discuss the ins and outs of writing fanfic, including coming up with ideas, choosing a writing platform, and shar

Want to support Mind the Tags? Sign up for our Patreon! Have ideas for the pod? Email us at [email protected].

Sources from today's ep:

Literotica

No beta we die like men on Fanlore

Perchance generators

PWP on Fanlore

Drabble on Fanlore

Longfic on Fanlore

Work in Progress on Fanlore

Scrivener

Ellipsus

Proton

Beta on Fanlore

Formatting on Ao3

Tagging guide by mostlyinthemorning

Congressional Candidate Kat Abughazaleh on Parable of the Sower, and Her Love of Sci-Fi by James Folta

We asked listeners on Bluesky for their suggestions about starting to write fic. You can find those here!

Thank you to Erik Potteiger for producing our song and Haflacky for our logo design. 

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Interview with Lauren Rouse: Fandom Researcher

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily interview Dr. Lauren Rouse, fandom researcher and co-author of "Quantifying fandom: Identity, romance, and platform preferences on archive of our own." Dr. Rouse discusses the findings from the article, their research interests around disability and fandom, and how fanfiction and fandom have inspired their scholarship journey.  

Interview with Lauren Rouse: Fandom Researcher | Mind the Tags

On this episode of Mind the Tags, Vee and Emily interview Dr. Lauren Rouse, fandom researcher and co-author of "Quantifying fandom: Identity

Sources from this episode:

Quantifying fandom: Identity, romance, and platform preferences on archive of our own by Lauren Rouse and Mel Stanfill

Texts and Technology program at the University of Central Florida

Transformative Works and Cultures journal

Survey Results: Demographics by centreoftheselights

Disability, Literature, Genre: Representation and Affect in Contemporary Fiction by Ria Cheyne

The Paratext of Fan Fiction by Maria Lindgren Leavenworth

Dr. Sami Schalk's website

Check out Dr. Rouse's bio here.