Rec a 'Hidden Gem' by Carolyn Claire

[carolyn-claire.livejournal.com]

In my comment to summerfling in response to her comm post on popularity vs. quality, I mentioned that I might open up a thread for recommendations of potentially overlooked stories as a way to further the cause of wider readership for stories by newer writers, since some felt that that was an issue. Normally, we focus on discussion, here, rather than recs (there are plenty of good recs journals, already), but in this case, I'll make an exception.

Do you feel there are hidden gems to be mined, possibly by newer or lesser-known writers, that deserve to be read and enjoyed more widely? You're welcome to rec those stories here, in this thread. Be aware, though, (here's the tricky part) that a writer who's new to you may be someone else's long-time favorite, and a story you haven't seen recced anywhere may be much loved and talked about in other circles. Let's think of these author and story recs as 'new to me' or 'unknown to me'--and please don't be offended if you or your story are referred to as new or unsung, here. It really is hard to know who's seen what, anymore, SGA fandom having become so large, and if someone wants to be sure your story is seen by as many people as possible, that's a nice, thing, yes?

Please provide a link to any story you rec that will take readers to a page that lists story info, warnings, spoilers, etc., or provide that sort of info in your rec blurb. And tell us why you think this story deserves a spot in the 'top tier'--these are gems we're looking for, stories that you think rival those you've seen most recced and discussed in terms of, well, whatever it is about a story that makes you consider it one of the best. And do feel free to drop a rec into this thread at any time, indefinitely. There can never be too many good recs, only too little time.

ETA: If you have or know of a recs page that you feel covers more ground than the average, do feel free to mention that, too. And a shout-out to ship_recs for pointing out things I otherwise wouldn't have seen/tried and providing helpful teaser-tastes of stories. Also, sga_newsletter--no recs, but links to all the new stuff I might otherwise never hear about.

Comments

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you made the caveat about this being a thread of authors new to *me*, because I'd hate to give accidental offence.

Wow, it was really hard to just pick a handful, as I have 312 recs in this fandom so far (Good grief! And there are more that aren't written up yet. SGA really is the fandom that keeps on giving.):

Title: Time After Time (http://www.livejournal.com/users/randomeliza/84493.html)
Author: randomeliza
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG-13
Why you should read this: Song fics are notorius for being dreadful. But this? This is the antithesis of dreadful, and yet it is indeed a songfic.

Title: Math Camp (http://www.livejournal.com/community/sga_flashfic/169751.html)
Author: pollymel
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: PG
Why you should read this: Awwwww! This is so freaking adorable.

Title: Sistinas (http://www.livejournal.com/users/surrealphantast/149412.html)
Author: Jennghis Kahn (surrealphantast)
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: None (implied McKay/Sheppard)
Rating: M
Why you should read this: This a creepy little zombie fic that I really liked a hell of a lot.

Title: Sometime Soon Would Be Nice (http://www.livejournal.com/community/sga_flashfic/109518.html)
Author: maisierita
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: R
Why you should read this: This is a story I read way, way back in the first flush of my romance with SGA fanfic. It's stuck with me, because I just adore the premise. John is so hot when he's in peril.

Title: Babble (http://www.livejournal.com/users/ladyflowdi/321339.html)
Author: Dianann (ladyflowdi)
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard
Rating: NC-17
Why you should read this: God, how much do I love this author? She writes PWPs that I find enthralling, mainly because she has a knack for turning what should be bad!fic premises into the exact opposite of bad!fic. I'm in awe! *happy sigh*

I pulled these from my rec jounal. All my Stargate recs (for both SG-1 and SG:A) on rec_room can be found here (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=rec_room&keyword=Stargate&filter=all).

[carolyn-claire.livejournal.com]

I imagined writers thinking, "I'm unknown? I'm obscure? The hell?" *g* New to us isn't necessarily new, new, but they still might be new to someone else, as well, so, recs. I think, if people comment on the recs, we may find that some of the 'new' writers and stories may be more known than we'd thought. SGA's a biiiiig town, these days.

[randomeliza.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm pretty damn sure that I'm obscure, and no offence taken at all. *g* I'd been wondering why people were suddenly commenting on "Time After Time" - glad someone pointed me here. Thanks for reccing, and I'm loving these other recs - I'd read Math Camp before, which I agree is adorable in ways that redefine adorable, but I hadn't read any of the others. And I'm always looking for new, good reading material.

[carolyn-claire.livejournal.com]

I received this comment, so I don't know if CB did, too, but I'm glad the rec led some more readers your way--that was the purpose, of course. Absolutely, the more recs, the merrier!

[brandinsbabe.livejournal.com]

these were really really awsome!!! thanks for the recs! :D

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

You're so welcome! It was my pleasure to spread the joy.