happy FAN SERVICE day to all who celebrate
my book about fandom and werewolves and kissing your celeb crush is OUT NOW
Tender, Thirsty, Ambitious is a newsletter from romance author Rosie Danan about savoring the good stuff, looking respectfully, and building a creative practice that embraces unapologetic striving.
Volume 14, Week of March 11th, 2025
Hi there. This is a special ~RELEASE DAY~ edition of tender, thirsty, ambitious.
Hopefully, if you’re here, you might’ve heard by now that I have a new book coming out. Good news: it’s out in the world today! Which means, if you want, you can read it right now!
FAN SERVICE is about what happens when an actor who used to play a werewolf on TV starts turning into one IRL and the only person who believes him is the former fangirl who was once Internet famous for cataloging the show’s lore
TENDER– savoring the good stuff
grateful that everyone on my team was so supportive of what is, objectively, a weird book! One of my artistic objectives for this project was—as we’ve discussed here in the past—‘commit to the bit.’ I’m really fortunate and thankful that everyone from my publishing team leaned in on that goal and we got to do some very silly, sexy, funny stuff in marketing and promo.
grateful that several people reached out to me to say they felt like this book was ‘written specifically for them’ That is such a wonderful compliment, especially because, to be honest, I wrote this book specifically for me (hey, there is never a guarantee that anyone else will like it!). FAN SERVICE is, to steal a line from the book, for “people who love stories so much they wish they could live inside them.” Every time someone leaves feedback that it resonated with them, I feel like I have found a kindred spirit.
grateful that this project came together, full stop. This is, far and away, my most ambitious premise to date. The execution was really challenging at times, and from a craft perspective FAN SERVICE pushed me a ton as a writer. There were times when I felt really bad about this book! I was not sure that I could pull off everything I wanted to try (and maybe I didn’t! lol) but I took big swings from the beginning (a prologue!) to the end (that chapter written in the [redacted] POV). I am super proud that, for the most part, I think I did achieve what I set out to. When I wrote out my goal at the very beginning of the process it was “joyful exploration” and I absolutely think that this book fulfilled that promise to myself.
THIRSTY – looking respectfully 👀
James Marsters is the closest thing I have to a Devin Ashwood (the protagonist of FAN SERVICE). He was my blueprint for the Down Bad, Soft Boy that you see in different variations across my work. I was around the same age as Alex (the heroine of FS) in the prologue when I started watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and buffy/spike was my ship. They were the first fic I ever read!
There are definitely elements of Spike in Devin’s character: an outer shell of arrogance that hides inner pain + a true (sometimes delusional) confidence. They’re both a little bit evil, but not that successful at it because of a very human (some might even say ‘babygirl’) core.
#The balcony scene. IYKYK #This man is not even British #a short king #When they say ‘cheekbones carved out of stone’, this is who they’re talking about #Character growth: it’s possible!! #I listened to his band!!! On myspace!!! #bless him for bleaching his hair for so long #he and SMG seem to genuinely like working together which is important to me #’can we rest now, buffy, can we rest !!!
AMBITIOUS – unapologetic creative striving
I wanna talk a little bit today about fanfic as a medium and how it inspires me as a writer. This will come as no surprise to anyone who has read FAN SERVICE early. The book is a blatant ode to fandom communities and creativity.
But specifically, I want to call out the fact that fic runs full force at some of the most bonkers storytelling ideas possible, unselfconsciously and often to the great delight of readers. There’s even a specific name for it: crack fic.
These works often sound like they shouldn’t work on paper and half the delight comes from seeing the author attempt them—but when they stick the landing too, OH MAN, is it SPECIAL.
These wild ideas come, I think, because people love a set of characters so much that they want to see them come to life in as close to infinite scenarios as possible. Fic is born out of love, devotion, and very often the singular desire to bring your Internet friends joy. What a beautiful muse for creativity!
I love that some stories are so captivating that people are like “it’s not enough for me to passively consume these characters: I have to create with them!”
That feeling is what led me to write romance. I was a reader first. I loved this genre so much that the only way I could get deeper was to become a writer and to try to contribute to the celebration and evolution of books about love. I hope that you feel that passion and excitement in my work.
People often ask me for recs on where to start with fic. So, if you’re like “wow I’ve heard a lot about Reylo and Dramione” (or maybe you have no idea what any of that means and you’re just looking for another great story.) I’m going to drop the links to three of my favorites below.
I don’t think you need to be familiar with the canon of these stories to enjoy them. If you read and like them (or have more recs!) pls let me know in the comments!
If you’re a Lisa Kleypas girlie:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/21554767
If you always knew Daniel Craig’s James Bond was bisexual:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/5051548/chapters/11662546#workskin
If you’re still mad that all the Marvel movies are sexless (and straight):
https://archiveofourown.org/works/10659162/chapters/23589582
HOUSEKEEPING
Some ways you can help celebrate FAN SERVICE:
Order a copy (ideally from an indie bookstore!) or request through your local library
If you order from my local indie, Towne Book Center, I will sign and personalize your copy and you’ll get exclusive swag including character art and a sticker (while supplies last), plus my undying gratitude <3
Come see me at one of my events / send a friend to get the exclusive tour stickers for you!
*If you’re in the greater tri-state area, you can snag in-person event tickets HERE.
Or join one of our virtual events
*JUST ADDED: I’ll be going LIVE on Instagram TONIGHT, 5/11 (@rosiedanan) at 8PM ET/5PM PT with some of my romance besties, Susan Lee (@susanleewrites), Ali Hazelwood (@alihazelwood), and Lauren Billings (@ChristinaLauren). You can join the chat by clicking through from any of our Instagram handles once the LIVE starts.
I’ll also be doing a virtual event with UK treasure Charlotte Stein through Blue Willow Bookshop on Saturday, March 15th at 2PM ET! Register to attend.
My DC event with East City Bookshop is hybrid - which means you can join the live cast via Zoom and we’ll have you in the room with us during our discussion on March 13th at 7PM ET.
Tell a friend (irl or on social media) to read this book
I am so freaking excited for my copy to arrive! Happy pub day!!
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Welcome to the world, babygirl!!