Ep 244: Retelling vs FanFic
On this episode of Buzzing about Romance, Lindsey, Jenni, and Amanda join Becky to dive into a debate that has book lovers and writers constantly talking—what’s the difference between fan fiction and a retelling? Both take inspiration from existing stories, but where do we draw the line? When does a reimagined story go from being fanfic to a fresh, marketable retelling?
Fan Fiction (Fan Fic)
- Definition:
- A work of fiction that uses characters, settings, or elements from an existing work (books, movies, TV shows, etc.) but is written by a fan rather than the original creator.
- Key Parameters:
- Uses copyrighted or pre-existing characters, settings, or worlds.
- Often explores alternate storylines, relationships, or perspectives not in the original work.
- Typically not officially licensed or published in mainstream markets.
- Created as a tribute, expansion, or reinterpretation by fans.
Retelling
- Definition:
- A reimagining of a well-known story, often updating the setting, themes, or character dynamics while maintaining the core elements of the original.
- Key Parameters:
- Based on public domain works (e.g., fairy tales, mythology, classic literature) or original concepts with a fresh perspective.
- Maintains recognizable plot beats or themes but may change the setting, characters, or genre.
- Often professionally published and marketed as original fiction.
- Can be a modernized, gender-swapped, or genre-shifted take on a familiar story.
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Book of the Week:
Swag Pack Sponsoring Author for March is Lizze B Brown.
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
- Wallbanger by Alice Clayton –
- Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia
- The Submissive (Submissive, #1 by Tara Sue Me
- Clipped Wings Series by Helena Hunting
Hating Game by Sally THorne
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake - Manacled” by SenLinYu
The Nanny” and “The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson - RuNyx (Gothikana, The Dark Verse)
- Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
- Roses and Chains by Julie Soto
- My Roommate is a Vampire
- Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuisten
- Game Changer by Rachel Reid
- When Beauty Tamed The Beast by Eloisa James
- Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert
- Born to Be Bound by Addison Cain
- The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
- Jiffy Kate
- Ali Hazelwood
- Julie Soto
- Jessica Clare
- Thea Guanzon
- Nikki Payne
- Chloe Liese
- If Shakespeare Were an Auntie by Nisha Sharma
- The Wilmot Sisters by Chloe Liese
- Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole
- Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
- Tessa Bailey’s Window Shopping
- Hades and Persephone (Greek Myth Retelling Boom)
- Neon Gods by Katee Robert
- A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair.
- Twisted Love by Ana Huang
- Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
- By the Book by Jasmine Guillory (Beauty and the Beast)
- If I Only Had a Duke by Lenora Bell (Wizard of Oz-inspired historical romance)
Retellings:
- Beauty and the Billionaire (Billionaire Boys Club, #2)
by Jessica Clare - When Beauty Tamed the Beast (Fairy Tales, #2) by Eloisa James
- Beauty Touched the Beast (Beauty, #1) by Skye Warren
- It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
- Story of My Life by Lucy Score
- You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
- It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian
- Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger has strong BATB vibes
- Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
- Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore
- Heartless by Marissa Meyer (Queen of Hearts origin story)
- Hunted by Meagan Spooner (Beauty and the Beast)
- The Princess and the Fangirl by Ashley Poston (The Prince and the Pauper)
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Music by Cambo
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