Fansplaining
@fansplaining.bsky.social
An independent, subscriber-supported publication of reporting, criticism, and more—all by, for, and about fandom. 🎉 fansplaining.com
(Plus 9 years as a podcast: 250+ episodes in our back catalog!)
(Plus 9 years as a podcast: 250+ episodes in our back catalog!)
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The Death of the Artist Alley?
For smaller artists, increased costs and outsized merchandise expectations are putting convention-selling out of reach.
fansplaining.com
Our latest is live! 🎨 @mashazart.bsky.social reports on the current state of the artist alley, where increased tabling costs, elaborate merchandise expectations, and the pressure to "design-maxx" booths means selling at conventions is increasingly difficult.
Read or listen to an audio version:
Read or listen to an audio version:
“Making art, especially comics, can be a very lonely and solitary practice,” @tomatobird.bsky.social tells @mashazart.bsky.social in our latest. “While I enjoy that a lot of the time I’ve realized it’s important for me to physically put my work out there for people to touch and look at.”
The Death of the Artist Alley?
For smaller artists, increased costs and outsized merchandise expectations are putting convention-selling out of reach.
fansplaining.com
September 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM
“Making art, especially comics, can be a very lonely and solitary practice,” @tomatobird.bsky.social tells @mashazart.bsky.social in our latest. “While I enjoy that a lot of the time I’ve realized it’s important for me to physically put my work out there for people to touch and look at.”
Reposted by Fansplaining
ICYMI, Fansplaining lifted the paywall on my first three Lanterns recaps, so they're now available to free subscribers! Some thoughts from episode 3:
fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
September 18, 2026 at 2:15 PM
ICYMI, Fansplaining lifted the paywall on my first three Lanterns recaps, so they're now available to free subscribers! Some thoughts from episode 3:
fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
Reposted by Fansplaining
I've been quoted in this! Masha is an incredible writer, do take a look
my article about artist's alley is up at @fansplaining.bsky.social today!
thank you to everyone who talked to me about their AA experiences for this piece and let me use their photos
fansplaining.com/the-death-of...
thank you to everyone who talked to me about their AA experiences for this piece and let me use their photos
fansplaining.com/the-death-of...
The Death of the Artist Alley?
For smaller artists, increased costs and outsized merchandise expectations are putting convention-selling out of reach.
fansplaining.com
September 16, 2026 at 7:05 PM
I've been quoted in this! Masha is an incredible writer, do take a look
Is there still space for smaller artists in the convention artist alley? Increasingly not, @mashazart.bsky.social writes in our latest. "The new realities of the industry make it difficult to continue to table as a hobby—and even more difficult to turn it into a sustainable art career."
The Death of the Artist Alley?
For smaller artists, increased costs and outsized merchandise expectations are putting convention-selling out of reach.
fansplaining.com
September 17, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Is there still space for smaller artists in the convention artist alley? Increasingly not, @mashazart.bsky.social writes in our latest. "The new realities of the industry make it difficult to continue to table as a hobby—and even more difficult to turn it into a sustainable art career."
Reposted by Fansplaining
Absolutely essential reporting from @mashazart.bsky.social at Fansplaining today for indie artists and the fans who want to support them. If you've been to a con in recent years, you've probably sensed that smaller artists were being pushed out. Here are the on-the-ground realities:
The Death of the Artist Alley?
For smaller artists, increased costs and outsized merchandise expectations are putting convention-selling out of reach.
fansplaining.com
September 16, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Absolutely essential reporting from @mashazart.bsky.social at Fansplaining today for indie artists and the fans who want to support them. If you've been to a con in recent years, you've probably sensed that smaller artists were being pushed out. Here are the on-the-ground realities:
Reposted by Fansplaining
my article about artist's alley is up at @fansplaining.bsky.social today!
thank you to everyone who talked to me about their AA experiences for this piece and let me use their photos
fansplaining.com/the-death-of...
thank you to everyone who talked to me about their AA experiences for this piece and let me use their photos
fansplaining.com/the-death-of...
The Death of the Artist Alley?
For smaller artists, increased costs and outsized merchandise expectations are putting convention-selling out of reach.
fansplaining.com
September 16, 2026 at 2:03 PM
my article about artist's alley is up at @fansplaining.bsky.social today!
thank you to everyone who talked to me about their AA experiences for this piece and let me use their photos
fansplaining.com/the-death-of...
thank you to everyone who talked to me about their AA experiences for this piece and let me use their photos
fansplaining.com/the-death-of...
Our latest is live! 🎨 @mashazart.bsky.social reports on the current state of the artist alley, where increased tabling costs, elaborate merchandise expectations, and the pressure to "design-maxx" booths means selling at conventions is increasingly difficult.
Read or listen to an audio version:
Read or listen to an audio version:
The Death of the Artist Alley?
For smaller artists, increased costs and outsized merchandise expectations are putting convention-selling out of reach.
fansplaining.com
September 16, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Our latest is live! 🎨 @mashazart.bsky.social reports on the current state of the artist alley, where increased tabling costs, elaborate merchandise expectations, and the pressure to "design-maxx" booths means selling at conventions is increasingly difficult.
Read or listen to an audio version:
Read or listen to an audio version:
"We’re given so little information about their background that Zoe exists as an oddly contextless entity: an antagonist whose level of free will is never fully clarified."
In her analysis of Lanterns episode 5, @gavia.bsky.social has sharp critiques about several aspects of the show:
In her analysis of Lanterns episode 5, @gavia.bsky.social has sharp critiques about several aspects of the show:
Lanterns: Was It Worth It?
In episode 5, tensions mount in Rushville as Antaan arrives to take down the Manhunter, leading John to make a shocking choice.
fansplaining.com
September 15, 2026 at 2:13 PM
"We’re given so little information about their background that Zoe exists as an oddly contextless entity: an antagonist whose level of free will is never fully clarified."
In her analysis of Lanterns episode 5, @gavia.bsky.social has sharp critiques about several aspects of the show:
In her analysis of Lanterns episode 5, @gavia.bsky.social has sharp critiques about several aspects of the show:
Reposted by Fansplaining
This is a MAJOR episode that marks an interesting turning point for John Stewart, but I still think think the Manhunter storyline is a serious weakness for the show. The worldbuilding there is thin, to say the least.
Our Lanterns recaps continue with @gavia.bsky.social's analysis of the fifth episode:
"Despite all current evidence to the contrary, we can be pretty sure that John will be a Lantern some day.... But episode 5 reframes this question from 'how' to 'why.'"
Read or listen to an audio version:
"Despite all current evidence to the contrary, we can be pretty sure that John will be a Lantern some day.... But episode 5 reframes this question from 'how' to 'why.'"
Read or listen to an audio version:
Lanterns: Was It Worth It?
In episode 5, tensions mount in Rushville as Antaan arrives to take down the Manhunter, leading John to make a shocking choice.
fansplaining.com
September 14, 2026 at 2:17 PM
This is a MAJOR episode that marks an interesting turning point for John Stewart, but I still think think the Manhunter storyline is a serious weakness for the show. The worldbuilding there is thin, to say the least.
Our Lanterns recaps continue with @gavia.bsky.social's analysis of the fifth episode:
"Despite all current evidence to the contrary, we can be pretty sure that John will be a Lantern some day.... But episode 5 reframes this question from 'how' to 'why.'"
Read or listen to an audio version:
"Despite all current evidence to the contrary, we can be pretty sure that John will be a Lantern some day.... But episode 5 reframes this question from 'how' to 'why.'"
Read or listen to an audio version:
Lanterns: Was It Worth It?
In episode 5, tensions mount in Rushville as Antaan arrives to take down the Manhunter, leading John to make a shocking choice.
fansplaining.com
September 14, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Our Lanterns recaps continue with @gavia.bsky.social's analysis of the fifth episode:
"Despite all current evidence to the contrary, we can be pretty sure that John will be a Lantern some day.... But episode 5 reframes this question from 'how' to 'why.'"
Read or listen to an audio version:
"Despite all current evidence to the contrary, we can be pretty sure that John will be a Lantern some day.... But episode 5 reframes this question from 'how' to 'why.'"
Read or listen to an audio version:
"I want to make it very clear at the outset that in no way do I want to force Star Trek upon my son until he loves it like some sort of Star Trek brainwashing experiment (“THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!”)," writes Matthew Razak. "He does not have to like what I like…but it would be really nice if he did."
Fandom: The Next Generation
Maybe the 80th attempt to get your kids to like your show will be the one that sticks.
fansplaining.com
September 10, 2026 at 3:08 PM
"I want to make it very clear at the outset that in no way do I want to force Star Trek upon my son until he loves it like some sort of Star Trek brainwashing experiment (“THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!”)," writes Matthew Razak. "He does not have to like what I like…but it would be really nice if he did."
Reposted by Fansplaining
I love the pictures Matthew took for this but before we had those, I suggested leading with something like this and the caption "what 10-year-old wouldn't instantly love this???"
September 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM
I love the pictures Matthew took for this but before we had those, I suggested leading with something like this and the caption "what 10-year-old wouldn't instantly love this???"
Reposted by Fansplaining
We've got a totally delightful essay from Matthew Razak up at @fansplaining.bsky.social that I have sent to multiple Trek parents with young kids. 🙂 Intergenerational fandom is fascinating—shared interests and/or shared inclinations—but you can't force it!!
Fandom: The Next Generation
Maybe the 80th attempt to get your kids to like your show will be the one that sticks.
fansplaining.com
September 9, 2026 at 2:49 PM
We've got a totally delightful essay from Matthew Razak up at @fansplaining.bsky.social that I have sent to multiple Trek parents with young kids. 🙂 Intergenerational fandom is fascinating—shared interests and/or shared inclinations—but you can't force it!!
Reposted by Fansplaining
Happy Birthday week, Star Trek fans! Please enjoy this wonderful @fansplaining.bsky.social essay from longtime Trekkie Matthew Razak on his hilarious, fraught attempts to get his son into Star Trek: fansplaining.com/fandom-the-n...
Fandom: The Next Generation
Maybe the 80th attempt to get your kids to like your show will be the one that sticks.
fansplaining.com
September 9, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Happy Birthday week, Star Trek fans! Please enjoy this wonderful @fansplaining.bsky.social essay from longtime Trekkie Matthew Razak on his hilarious, fraught attempts to get his son into Star Trek: fansplaining.com/fandom-the-n...
Our latest is live! 🚀 What happens when you want to pass your fandom onto your kid—and they hate the thing you love?
"It might have been the first time in his life that he hoped bedtime would come sooner."
A fantastic essay from Matthew Razak about trying to get his son to love Star Trek:
"It might have been the first time in his life that he hoped bedtime would come sooner."
A fantastic essay from Matthew Razak about trying to get his son to love Star Trek:
Fandom: The Next Generation
Maybe the 80th attempt to get your kids to like your show will be the one that sticks.
fansplaining.com
September 9, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Our latest is live! 🚀 What happens when you want to pass your fandom onto your kid—and they hate the thing you love?
"It might have been the first time in his life that he hoped bedtime would come sooner."
A fantastic essay from Matthew Razak about trying to get his son to love Star Trek:
"It might have been the first time in his life that he hoped bedtime would come sooner."
A fantastic essay from Matthew Razak about trying to get his son to love Star Trek:
FYI, this recap is now free to read/listen to!
Our Lanterns recaps continue with @gavia.bsky.social's analysis of episode 2: Manhunters, militias, and a strained relationship between our protagonists. "This show is a real gift to DC fans who love to hate Hal Jordan, whose defining personality trait is being an annoying jackass."
Read or listen:
Read or listen:
Lanterns: The Last Manhunter
In episode 2, John has a surprising alien encounter while Hal continues his investigation in Rushville.
fansplaining.com
September 8, 2026 at 2:43 PM
FYI, this recap is now free to read/listen to!
Reposted by Fansplaining
Our Lanterns recaps continue with episode 4, "The Weenie" (yes, we could not resist including "weenie" in our title, too). Halfway through the season, @gavia.bsky.social sharp critiques continue as the show struggles to execute its central mystery plot.
Read or listen to an audio version:
Read or listen to an audio version:
Lanterns: Infiltrating the Weenie
In episode 4, Hal and John plan to sneak onto William Macon’s property in their search for Rushville’s hidden Manhunter.
fansplaining.com
September 7, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Our Lanterns recaps continue with episode 4, "The Weenie" (yes, we could not resist including "weenie" in our title, too). Halfway through the season, @gavia.bsky.social sharp critiques continue as the show struggles to execute its central mystery plot.
Read or listen to an audio version:
Read or listen to an audio version:
Our Lanterns recaps continue with episode 4, "The Weenie" (yes, we could not resist including "weenie" in our title, too). Halfway through the season, @gavia.bsky.social sharp critiques continue as the show struggles to execute its central mystery plot.
Read or listen to an audio version:
Read or listen to an audio version:
Lanterns: Infiltrating the Weenie
In episode 4, Hal and John plan to sneak onto William Macon’s property in their search for Rushville’s hidden Manhunter.
fansplaining.com
September 7, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Our Lanterns recaps continue with episode 4, "The Weenie" (yes, we could not resist including "weenie" in our title, too). Halfway through the season, @gavia.bsky.social sharp critiques continue as the show struggles to execute its central mystery plot.
Read or listen to an audio version:
Read or listen to an audio version:
"Unlike previous shows that required queer characters to assimilate into a heteronormative world," @claresears.bsky.social writes, "Killing Eve flips the script by rewriting the world as deeply queer."
The Queer-Normative World of Killing Eve
Clare Sears talks to Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge about gender, kink, and queer relationships.
fansplaining.com
September 4, 2026 at 6:38 PM
"Unlike previous shows that required queer characters to assimilate into a heteronormative world," @claresears.bsky.social writes, "Killing Eve flips the script by rewriting the world as deeply queer."
"Killing Eve’s attentiveness to women’s power-laden, perverse desires is unusual for television," writes @claresears.bsky.social, "but aligns with key concepts from queer studies that illuminate the show’s innovative work."
Read an excerpt from Clare's new book on Killing Eve:
Read an excerpt from Clare's new book on Killing Eve:
The Queer-Normative World of Killing Eve
Clare Sears talks to Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge about gender, kink, and queer relationships.
fansplaining.com
September 3, 2026 at 3:11 PM
"Killing Eve’s attentiveness to women’s power-laden, perverse desires is unusual for television," writes @claresears.bsky.social, "but aligns with key concepts from queer studies that illuminate the show’s innovative work."
Read an excerpt from Clare's new book on Killing Eve:
Read an excerpt from Clare's new book on Killing Eve:
Reposted by Fansplaining
Just me chatting with Phoebe Waller-Bridge about kink, queerness and Killing Eve 🔪🪓❤️🔥 No big deal. Seriously, it's been very hard to keep quiet about this and I'm really happy that my book is finally out and that Fansplaining published an excerpt today 💜 Enjoy, x
Our latest is live! 💜 @claresears.bsky.social's new book, KILLING EVE, features analysis of the show and exclusive interviews with series creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge—and we've got an excerpt. Check it out (as always, all our excerpts are totally in front of the paywall) and buy the book!
The Queer-Normative World of Killing Eve
Clare Sears talks to Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge about gender, kink, and queer relationships.
fansplaining.com
September 2, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Just me chatting with Phoebe Waller-Bridge about kink, queerness and Killing Eve 🔪🪓❤️🔥 No big deal. Seriously, it's been very hard to keep quiet about this and I'm really happy that my book is finally out and that Fansplaining published an excerpt today 💜 Enjoy, x
Reposted by Fansplaining
It's such a pleasure to be able to run excerpts from smart, interesting fannish books—like this one from @claresears.bsky.social's Killing Eve, out this week! Featuring analysis and exclusive interviews with Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge and EP Sally Woodward Gentle:
The Queer-Normative World of Killing Eve
Clare Sears talks to Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge about gender, kink, and queer relationships.
fansplaining.com
September 2, 2026 at 6:19 PM
It's such a pleasure to be able to run excerpts from smart, interesting fannish books—like this one from @claresears.bsky.social's Killing Eve, out this week! Featuring analysis and exclusive interviews with Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge and EP Sally Woodward Gentle:
Our latest is live! 💜 @claresears.bsky.social's new book, KILLING EVE, features analysis of the show and exclusive interviews with series creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge—and we've got an excerpt. Check it out (as always, all our excerpts are totally in front of the paywall) and buy the book!
The Queer-Normative World of Killing Eve
Clare Sears talks to Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge about gender, kink, and queer relationships.
fansplaining.com
September 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Our latest is live! 💜 @claresears.bsky.social's new book, KILLING EVE, features analysis of the show and exclusive interviews with series creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge—and we've got an excerpt. Check it out (as always, all our excerpts are totally in front of the paywall) and buy the book!
In her recap of Lanterns episode 3, @gavia.bsky.social analyzes John's origin story—and contextualizes it within superhero media more broadly.
Read or listen to an audio version: fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
Read or listen to an audio version: fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
September 1, 2026 at 6:13 PM
In her recap of Lanterns episode 3, @gavia.bsky.social analyzes John's origin story—and contextualizes it within superhero media more broadly.
Read or listen to an audio version: fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
Read or listen to an audio version: fansplaining.com/lanterns-rai...
Reposted by Fansplaining
Some really sharp analysis of this show by @gavia.bsky.social in this week's recap! The nature of superhero narratives, the show's racial commentary, the allegory for policing...I've been having trouble deciding which ones to put in our social posts because they're all so interesting. Here's one:
August 31, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Some really sharp analysis of this show by @gavia.bsky.social in this week's recap! The nature of superhero narratives, the show's racial commentary, the allegory for policing...I've been having trouble deciding which ones to put in our social posts because they're all so interesting. Here's one: