As we pass into the ultimate HURT / COMFORT month, we feel called to speak on a subject near and dear. The kissin' cousin of our beloved Romance Genre - FAN FICTION.

How does cultural context inform fic and romance? Do you need to be a fan to enjoy fic? Why has this taken us so long?

We will interrogate the boundaries of fic and romance via a beloved object- one of Isabeau's fave fics - "Rough Magic" by gondalsqueen on Archive of Our Own.

We will compare the (slightly) alternate universes of fan fiction and romance, or should we say the fic to 'mance pipeline, via "The Love Hypothesis" by Ali Hazelwood.

And lastly, we will consume and critique a fic recommended by YOU, the listener.

This is sure to be as fluffy as it is angsty, Whoa!mantics.

Please DM us your fic recs on Twitter, @mance_whoa, or IG @whoamance. You can also email your recomendations to whoamancemail@gmail.com

Whoa!mance is a part of the Frolic Podcast Network.

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Sometimes it gets cold enough in winter that you want to wear a hat on a hat. Times like that call for cozy romps like A ROSE IN WINTER by KATHLEEN WOODIWISS.

Erienne is the prettiest gal in town, so her father - The Self-Same Mayor of Mawbry - has no problem auctioning her off to the mysterious and masked Lord Saxton. Problem is, she's still got butterflies over her family's sworn nemesis and noted American Christopher Seton. Also Seton and Saxton are cousins. Also the town is full of highwaymen. Also Saxton's home keeps getting burned down. Also, Seton's a ship captain. Also...

Why is it always Beauty and the Beast (even when it isn't)? How can we reconcile the perpetuating sins of our canon? Why is it, in spite of all that, SO GOOD?

File down the pointy edges and crack those knuckles, this hand stuff is serious.

Whoa!mance is a part of Frolic Media.

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This week Morgan and Isabeau agree that in the War on Christmas, Xmas is the agitator and has already won. This decades old conflict can be viewed from the year 1995, with the romance compendium "A Gift of Joy" when the culture wars teamed up with Xmas to burn the yule logs of feminism in the great cookie backlash. Take a stroll down the byways of 'when men were men' in Virginia Henley's "Christmas Eve" and dawn your 40 shades of green for the loosely Christmas related "Miracle" by Brenda Joyce.

Each short story has been seasoned heavily, enjoy responsibly.

Whoa!mance is a part of the Frolic Media Network

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Happy Howdy-days, this eppy yr grls are staring hard at the tight jeans of Westmoreland Number 24 - ONE WINTER’S NIGHT by BRENDA JACKSON.

Alpha ditches Florida (plus an ex-fiancée, and parents who can’t accept her sister’s adult media past) to plan parties in Denver. But not just any parties in Denver! Riley Westmoreland drew the short straw managing the company Christmas party, but he ends up getting more than addendums pinned to the timeline—he starts at 6 week affair with Alpha. But guess what? They like each other for more than their mutual taste in themes and sex!

Why can’t Millennials conceptualize adulthood? What’s cozier conceptually than soap opera dialog? Why is women’s work so gendered in romance (even when it isn’t??)

Shut your oak porn cabinet door and tug down your sweater dress—this one is coming in hot.

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Novella November wraps (in a very diaphanous, sheer sort of way) with GODDESS ABDUCTED by SCARLETT PECKHAM.

Lydia Houghton is the titular Goddess Abducted when a highwayman picks her up in her Diana getup from a costume ball. But Lydia isn’t totally unwilling, and ends up on a very cozy hostage situation.

What did Bodice Rippers leave us? What do trigger warnings give us? Did we disclaim enough?

Keep your wits, this eppy sneaks up on you.

Whoa!mance is a part of the Frolic Podcast Network

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Light a fire, wrap a quilt around your shoulders, and hold that mug with two hands - this episode yr grls get in their comfies with THE CRAFT OF LOVE BY E.E. OTTOMAN.

Benjamin is a silversmith in need of a quilt. Remembrance is a quilter in need of a tea service. Can I make it any more obvious (in the style of Avril Lavigne). Also, Benjamin is trans and Remembrance's ex is a woman and it is 1830.

What makes a work of fiction cozy? How can authors talk about marginalized identities and the working class in historical romance without talking down about them? Why does romance produce more angst than cozies?

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