# Clover's newbie-friendly reading list

# Real quick glowfic 101

**What is glowfic?**

Glowfic is a genre of webfiction! It’s a cross between a text roleplay and a coauthored story. It started as a collaboration by a couple of writers, Alicorn and Kappa, on dreamwidth; now it has [its own website](https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=http%3A%2F%2Fglowfic.com%2F&t=YzI4ZDQ4OTgwNjQzMDU0ZGEzMzYwOThlN2RiOTNjM2Y3OWRlZDQ3NCxON3NnVUJlag%3D%3D&b=t%3ANB-4NC7H_QazbXUqkZwh-w&p=https%3A%2F%2Fcloverchainhalos.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F625721887504384000%2Fglowfic-101&m=0&ts=1610510593), called “the Constellation.”

If you want more information, here's the [community guide to glowfic](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_4Z2zdRKaSwZPm3S0X14DYoo7w46U_MZ4En6oOediNQ/edit) and the [wiki glossary](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/general-information/page/glossary-of-glowfic-terms).

**There’s an awful lot of glowfic and no obvious way to tell which things are prerequisite for which other things! Where do I start?**

*If you just want a single generic rec*: Start with [in color](https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Fglowfic.com%2Fposts%2F803&t=NGQ1OTc2YWEwMTFjNzZhMzYzY2QxMTFmNmY4ODAxNjI1ODA3ZDdlZSxON3NnVUJlag%3D%3D&b=t%3ANB-4NC7H_QazbXUqkZwh-w&p=https%3A%2F%2Fcloverchainhalos.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F625721887504384000%2Fglowfic-101&m=0&ts=1610510593) by Alicorn and lintamande. It was the first glowfic I (and a lot of other people) read and requires basically no background. If you want you can read [this](https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=http%3A%2F%2Falicorn.elcenia.com%2Fboard%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D4%26t%3D588&t=NzIxM2RkMjdlZDU3NGE3OTg4ZTYwNDhmNTVmOTFlMmNiODU4ZDQ3MixON3NnVUJlag%3D%3D&b=t%3ANB-4NC7H_QazbXUqkZwh-w&p=https%3A%2F%2Fcloverchainhalos.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F625721887504384000%2Fglowfic-101&m=0&ts=1610510593) setting explanation first.

*If there are specific themes you're interested in reading about, or if you want something pretty short:* you can take [this uquiz](https://uquiz.com/quiz/eudfCZ/which-glowfic-should-i-read-first) to recommend you a starter glowfic.

*If you want a list of options:* Check out the [newbie-friendly reading list](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/glowfic-guide-compendium/page/reading-list) on the next page of this guide.

**What if I want to read things by a specific author, or involving a specific character?**

You can go to their author page (respectively, character page) on the Constellation and choose from their list of threads or continuities. You can also enter, for example, \[author="Alicorn"\] into the wiki search bar to find wiki pages for glowfic written by Alicorn.

# Reading list

A list of glowfic I recommend, in what I think is a basically reasonable reading order.

- Purple = highly recommended
- Reading time = time it took me to read, for those where I kept track.
- Spoiler warnings are not thorough. I have basically included spoiler warnings for things I personally would have wanted to be warned about.
- Nothing listed is more than mildly NSFW.
- This list was written in 2019-2020. I am not planning to update it.

##### Easy stuff to start with:

- <span style="color: #333399;">**[in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803)** </span>(Sandbox) - Alicorn, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: optionally, [this setting description](http://alicorn.elcenia.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=588)
    - Reading time: ~days
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/in-color)
- <span style="color: #008000;">**[<span style="color: #333399;">i've got a list of names</span>](https://glowfic.com/posts/1647)**</span> (Sandbox) - Alicorn, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: [in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803); possibly benefits from having read Silmaril first but I didn't and it was fine
    - Reading time: ~days
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/ive-got-a-list-of-names)
- [**<span style="color: #008000;"><span style="color: #333399;">with the time that is given us</span></span>**](https://glowfic.com/boards/111) (Continuity) - apprenticebard, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - Reading time: ~days
    - Moderate spoilers for early Buffy (don't remember if season 1 or 2) 
        - I read this before watching Buffy and kinda wished I'd done it in the other order
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/with-the-time-that-is-given-us)
- <span style="color: #008000;">[**<span style="color: #333399;">while there's still evil afoot</span>**](https://glowfic.com/posts/2865)</span> (Sandbox) - apprenticebard, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: [with the time that is given us](https://glowfic.com/boards/111)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/while-theres-still-evil-afoot)

##### Where it all began:

- <span style="color: #008000;">**[<span style="color: #333399;">Luminosity and Radiance</span>](https://luminous.elcenia.com/story.shtml)** </span>(Fanfic) - Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: none (not even Twilight)
    - This is not a glowfic, but it's very good and it's what the foundational glowfic, Effulgence, is based off of
- [**<span style="color: #008000;"><span style="color: #333399;">Effulgence</span></span>**](https://glowfic.com/boards/1) (Continuity) up to subcontinuity "will you marry me" - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Reading time: a month (it will eat your life)
    - Major spoilers for Ender's Game
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/effulgence)

##### More Effulgence please:

- [**catch without release**](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/219) (subcontinuity of Effulgence) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - Reading time: &lt; an hour
- <span style="color: #008000;">**[<span style="color: #333399;">like a thief in the day</span>](https://glowfic.com/posts/914)**</span> (Sandbox) - Alicorn, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: [in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803), [catch without release](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/219)
    - Reading time: a couple hours
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/like-a-thief-in-the-day)
- [**in spite of a nail**](https://glowfic.com/posts/862) (Sandbox) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: Effulgence up through “they bite”
    - Reading time: ~half an hour
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/in-spite-of-a-nail)
- [**the prime directive**](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/209) (subcontinuity of Effulgence) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - Reading time: hours
- [**an art project**](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/222) (subcontinuity of Effulgence) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - Major spoilers for the Vorkosigan Saga up through "Mirror Dance" 
        - I am so serious about the spoilers, I delayed reading this until I'd read the Vorkosigan saga and I'm really glad I did things in that order
- [**something that i want**](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/221) (subcontinuity of Effulgence) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - Reading time: hours
- [**seidr and spear**](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/214) (subcontinuity of Effulgence) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: none
- **[unfashionable tattoo](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/217)** (subcontinuity of Effulgence) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - Reading time: half an hour?

##### Other early Bell continuities:

- [**Incandescence**](https://glowfic.com/boards/44) (Continuity) - Aestrix, Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: Effulgence up to “truth be told”, plus “unfashionable tattoo”
    - Reading time: a week
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/incandescence)
    - After you’re done, read [this](http://alicorn.elcenia.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=257) wrap-up post
- **[Bluebell Flames](https://glowfic.com/boards/34)** (Continuity) - Alicorn, Red 
    - Prerequisites: optionally, previous exposure to Bells, e.g. Effulgence
    - Reading time: hours
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/bluebell-flames/page/reference)
- [**Eclipse**](https://glowfic.com/boards/23) (Continuity) - Alicorn, Red 
    - Prequisites: some of Effulgence (optional, for template background)
    - Reading time: days
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/eclipse)

##### Long Arda continuities:

- <span style="color: #333399;">[**Elentári**](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/20) </span>(subcontinuity of Silmaril) - Alicorn, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: optionally, [seidr and spear](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/214)
    - Reading time: a week
    - This is the first, and best standalone, part of Silmaril; it’s worth reading on its own
    - [Silmaril wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/silmaril/page/reference)
- <span style="color: #333399;">**[Silmaril](https://glowfic.com/boards/18)** </span>(Continuity) - Alicorn, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: details on wiki page; all are optional
    - Reading time: over a month (it will eat your life)
    - Major spoilers for Puella Magi Madoka Magica in subcontinuity "West"
    - If you plan to read Golarion sandboxes (later in this recommendation list), then I recommend delaying reading the subcontinuity Starstone until after you do that
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/silmaril/page/reference)
- <span style="color: #333399;">**[if the world can’t be saved i’ll save it anyway](https://www.glowfic.com/boards/160)**</span> (Continuity) - lintamande, swimmer963 
    - Prerequisites: optionally, [A Song For Two Voices](https://archiveofourown.org/series/936480) (Fanfic series by swimmer) 
        - ASFTV is very long but also very good; if you care about spoilers it's worth reading that first
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/if-the-world-cant-be-saved-ill-save-it-anyway/page/reference)

##### Golarion:

- **[ask yourself if you could have predicted this](https://glowfic.com/posts/3438)** (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: none, but benefits from prior exposure to Feanorians and/or Imrainais, e.g. [in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803) or [with the time that is given us](https://glowfic.com/boards/111)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/ask-yourself-if-you-could-have-predicted-this)
- [**baubles and bangles**](http://glowfic.com/posts/3499) (Sandbox) - lintamande, Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: none, but benefits from prior exposure to Feanorians and/or Isama, e.g. [in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/baubles-and-bangles)
- [**fascinate**](http://glowfic.com/posts/3505) (Sandbox) - lintamande, Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: none, but benefits from prior exposure to Feanorians and/or Rebecca, e.g. [in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/fascinate)
- [**Starstone**](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/488) (subcontinuity of Silmaril) - lintamande, Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - [Silmaril wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/silmaril/page/reference)
- <span style="color: #333399;">[**only that which they defend**](https://www.glowfic.com/boards/165)</span> (Continuity) - lintamande, swimmer963 
    - Prerequisites: preferably at least one thread with lintamande's adventuring party (e.g. [ask yourself if you could have predicted this](https://glowfic.com/posts/3438) or [Starstone](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/488)) and exposure to Vanyel and Leareth (e.g. [A Song For Two Voices](https://archiveofourown.org/series/936480) or [if the world can’t be saved i’ll save it anyway](https://www.glowfic.com/boards/160))
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/only-that-which-they-defend)
- [**free will was a mistake**](https://glowfic.com/posts/4103) (Sandbox) - lintamande, Alicorn, swimmer963 
    - Prerequisites: [we know we once were gods](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/551) (subcontinuity of only that which they defend)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/free-will-was-a-mistake)
- **[necessities are free](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/necessities-are-free)** (Sandbox) - lintamande, Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: [Ibyabek](http://alicorn.elcenia.com/stories/ibyabek.shtml) (short story by Alicorn) and [we know we once were gods](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/551) (subcontinuity of only that which they defend)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/necessities-are-free)

##### Vampires, demons, and Imrainais:

- **[what you are in the dark](https://glowfic.com/posts/2309)** (Sandbox) - apprenticebard, root 
    - Prerequisites: preferably, previous exposure to Imrainai/Karen (e.g. [with the time that is given us](https://glowfic.com/boards/111)) and previous exposure to Z (e.g. his [Amenta RP](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/amenta/page/general-information) blog, [industrialbruise.tumblr.com](https://industrialbruise.tumblr.com))
    - Reading time: &lt; half an hour
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/what-you-are-in-the-dark)
- **[jealous is the night when the morning comes](https://glowfic.com/posts/2567)** (Sandbox) - Alicorn, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: [what you are in the dark, ](https://glowfic.com/posts/2309)Effulgence up through “raise the stakes,” optionally "[Daevinity](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/86)" (subcontinuity of Incandescence)
    - Reading time: an hour
    - Moderate spoilers for Buffy season 2
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/jealous-is-the-night-when-the-morning-comes)
- [**every breath you take**](https://glowfic.com/posts/2310) (Sandbox) - Alicorn, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: "[Daevinity](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/86)" (subcontinuity of Incandescence)
    - Reading time: an hour or two
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/every-breath-you-take)
- [**bro you need to stop summoning demons in the frat house**](https://glowfic.com/posts/2977) (Sandbox) - Alicorn, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: [with the time that is given us](https://glowfic.com/boards/111) and optionally "[Daevinity](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/86)" (subcontinuity of Incandescence)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/bro-you-need-to-stop-summoning-demons-in-the-frat-house)
- [**tough guy talk**](https://glowfic.com/posts/2964) (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: [with the time that is given us](https://glowfic.com/boards/111)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/tough-guy-talk)
- [**raises some questions for gary gygax**](https://glowfic.com/posts/3509) (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: with the time that is given us, and prior familiarity with lintamande's adventuring party, e.g. [ask yourself if you could have predicted this](https://glowfic.com/posts/3438) or [Starstone](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/488)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/raises-some-questions-for-gary-gygax)
- <span style="color: #333399;">[**much of the world is lawless and cruel**](https://glowfic.com/posts/3456) </span>(Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: none, but benefits from prior exposure to Feanorians and/or Imrainais (e.g. [in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803) or [with the time that is given us)](https://glowfic.com/boards/111) and/or from prior exposure to lintamande's adventuring party (e.g. [ask yourself if you could have predicted this](https://glowfic.com/posts/3438) or [Starstone](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/488))
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/much-of-the-world-is-lawless-and-cruel)
- [<span style="color: #333399;">**Desperate Measures**</span>](https://www.glowfic.com/posts/3661) (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: [much of the world is lawless and cruel ](https://glowfic.com/posts/3456)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/desperate-measures)

##### The diamond queen:

- [**you were kind to something once**](https://glowfic.com/posts/3328) (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/you-were-kind-to-something-once)
- **[some only had hearts that were brave and true](https://glowfic.com/posts/3388)** (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/some-only-had-hearts-that-were-brave-and-true)
- **[anyone who says differently is selling something](https://glowfic.com/posts/3002)** (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: [while there's still evil afoot](https://glowfic.com/posts/2865)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/anyone-who-says-differently-is-selling-something)
- [**give me the wretched refuse of your teeming shore**](https://glowfic.com/posts/3232) (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: [while there's still evil afoot](https://glowfic.com/posts/2865)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/anyone-who-says-differently-is-selling-something)
- [<span style="color: #333399;">**most foolish of all**</span>](https://glowfic.com/posts/3379) (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: [give me the wretched refuse of your teeming shore](https://glowfic.com/posts/3232) and [you were kind to something once](https://glowfic.com/posts/3328)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/most-foolish-of-all)
- **[you can’t warm the stars with your hands](https://glowfic.com/posts/2371)** (Sandbox) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: none, but benefits from prior exposure to Feanorians and/or Imrainais
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/you-cant-warm-the-stars-with-your-hands)
- [<span style="color: #333399;">**origin of the diamond queen**</span>](https://glowfic.com/posts/1927) (Continuity) - lintamande, apprenticebard 
    - Prerequisites: [much of the world is lawless and cruel](https://glowfic.com/posts/3456) (Korva), [some only had hearts that were brave and true](https://glowfic.com/posts/3388) (Elizabeth), [give me the wretched refuse of your teeming shore](https://glowfic.com/posts/3232) (huddled-masses), [you were kind to something once](https://glowfic.com/posts/3328) (Catherine), and [while there's still evil afoot](https://glowfic.com/posts/2865) (Slayer Karen)
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/origin-of-the-diamond-queen)

##### Forever is a long, long time:

- **[repeat after me](https://glowfic.com/posts/2322)** (Sandbox) - Aestrix, Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: [Queen](https://alicorn.elcenia.com/stories/queen.shtml), [Visitor](https://alicorn.elcenia.com/stories/visitor.shtml), and [Changeling](https://alicorn.elcenia.com/stories/changeling.shtml) (short stories by Alicorn), and [Phixable](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/84) (subcontinuity of Incandescence)
    - Reading time: ~half an hour?
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/repeat-after-me)
- **[exact words](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/224)** (Subcontinuity of Effulgence) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: Effulgence, optionally some previous exposure to the Harmonics setting (e.g. [repeat after me)](https://glowfic.com/posts/2322)
    - [Effulgence wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/effulgence)
- [**blood sweat tear**](https://glowfic.com/posts/2633) (Sandbox) - Alicorn, Kappa 
    - Prerequisites: Effulgence up through “raise the stakes,” plus “exact words”
    - Reading time: a couple hours
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/blood-sweat-tear)
- [**Fairylights**](https://glowfic.com/boards/25) (Continuity) - Alicorn, Red 
    - Prerequisites: previous exposure to the Harmonics setting, e.g. [repeat after me](https://glowfic.com/posts/2322) or [exact words](https://glowfic.com/board_sections/224) (optional, for setting and character background)
    - Reading time: a day or two
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/fairylights)
- <span style="color: #333399;">[**choose wisely**](https://glowfic.com/posts/3376)</span> (Sandbox) - Alicorn, lintamande 
    - Prerequisites: previous exposure to the Harmonics setting, previous exposure to fastfairyland (e.g. [you were kind to something once](https://glowfic.com/posts/3328))
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/choose-wisely)

##### Miscellanea:

- **[ademption](https://glowfic.com/posts/4023)** (Sandbox) - swimmer963, Alicorn 
    - Prerequisites: [Will](http://alicorn.elcenia.com/stories/will.shtml) (short story by Alicorn) and preferably prior familiarity with Vanyel and Leareth (e.g. [A Song For Two Voices](https://archiveofourown.org/series/936480) or [if the world can’t be saved i’ll save it anyway](https://www.glowfic.com/boards/160))
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/ademption)
- <span style="color: #333399;">[**cleanliness is next to godliness**](https://glowfic.com/posts/2418)</span> (Sandbox) - Alicorn, westwind 
    - Prerequisites: [in color](https://glowfic.com/posts/803), familiarity with [the Cascadia setting](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/cascadia), and optionally the Cascadia RP blogs [the-fear-of-childishness.tumblr.com](https://the-fear-of-childishness.tumblr.com) and [stitchesinablanket.tumblr.com](https://stitchesinablanket.tumblr.com/)
    - Reading time: a couple hours
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness)
- [**i don't know how to play this hand**](https://www.glowfic.com/posts/3678) (Sandbox) - hearts, westwind 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - Major spoilers for The Magnus Archives up to season 3
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/i-dont-know-how-to-play-this-hand)
- **[people being fundamentally people](https://glowfic.com/posts/3184)** (Sandbox) - apprenticebard, westwind 
    - Prerequisites: none, but benefits from familiarity with Imrainai (e.g. [with the time that is given us](https://glowfic.com/boards/111)) and Lev (e.g. [i don't know how to play this hand](https://www.glowfic.com/posts/3678))
    - Minor spoilers for Good Omens
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/people-being-fundamentally-people)
- [**complete disrespect of the institutional review board**](https://glowfic.com/posts/1927) (Sandbox) - Unbitwise, root 
    - Prerequisites: none
    - [Wiki link](https://glowficwiki.noblejury.com/books/sandboxes/page/complete-disrespect-of-the-institutional-review-board)