Why does Romantasy get so much hate? We dive into the world of Romantasy, smut, and fanfiction—unpacking the stigma, exploring why books centred on romance and desire (especially those loved by women) face harsh criticism, and celebrating the communities that thrive around them. From the rise of Fourth Wing and ACOTAR to fan-driven platforms like Wattpad and AO3, we explore how readers have become creators, fanfiction has shaped modern publishing, and why literature that centres pleasure and autonomy challenges the status quo.
We’ll explore:
Why Romantasy and smut are more than just “spicy scenes”
● How fanfiction evolved from niche communities to literary legitimacy (AO3 won a Hugo Award!)
● The gendered and racial biases behind genre stigma
● How platforms like BookTok and BookTube create vibrant third spaces for readers
● Why it’s okay to not like a genre—but not okay to shame others for enjoying it
00:00 - Teaser
00:12 - Intro
01:22 - Romance, Fantasy and Fanfiction
03:10 - Smut, Erotica and Explicit Content in History
7:53 - Gender, Race and Gatekeeping
10:40 - Exploring the 'Third Space'
12:48 - A Slippery Slope
13:38 - Conclusion
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