iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Everybody listening to the banter at the top of this ep:

A screenshot of an old tweet by @AlexBlechman:
Sci-Fi Author: In my book I invented the Torment Nexus as a cautionary tale
Tech Company: At long last, we have created the Torment Nexus from classic sci-fi-novel Don't Create the Torment Nexus

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 3rd, Fated States is calling Ohio for Sherrod Brown. Register now: fatedmates.net/fatedstates

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 5h

We talked about Neva Altaj's PAINTED SCARS in this episode. It's $0 right now. link.amazon/B0812JlBM

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 8h

In season seven we talked about the rise of romance centered around ghostly secondary characters (Jen) and funeral homes and mortuaries (Sarah). We talked about how and why these themes have become more and more prevalent in romance, and and what they might mean.

fatedmates.net

I Read Dead People: Ghosts, Morticians, and the Dead in Romance — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People

This is a bit different than our usual Halloween adjacent episodes -- we're talking about the rise of romance centered around ghostly secondary characters (Jen) and funeral homes and mortuaries (Sarah...

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 01/10/2026

These four Halloweeny DRM-free audiobooks are priced as low as $4! fatedmates.net/audiobooks We did a deep dive on HER HALLOWEEN TREAT. We covered PUMPKIN POUNDER and ANGELIKA FRANKENSTEIN in Spooky Stuff. We started a podcast because of A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER.

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 01/10/2026

It's free *and* DRM-free at Bookshop.org, too!

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Claire Handscombe @bookishclaire.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This slim book is so so helpful!

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 30/09/2026

Fated States is calling Ohio for Sherrod Brown this Saturday! REGISTER NOW: fatedmates.net/fatedstates

fatedmates.net

Fated States — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 30/09/2026

Tracey Livesay's LIKE LOVERS DO was a Best of 2020 pick. You can get it for $1 today. bookshop.org/a/5779/97800... link.amazon/B06yK09Oh books.apple.com/us/book/like... www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... #bd

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Jen Uphoff Gray @jengray.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I’m proud to be a monthly contributor to this giving circle! If you’re able, join me and let’s flip some seats.

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 30/09/2026

Thanks to Little, Brown & Company, Madison Score, and Emily W. Andersen for sponsoring this week's episode. fatedmates.net/episodes/202...

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 30/09/2026

As a reminder, we have not necessarily read all these books, but they are on our TBRs — time to pour yourself a cup of something warm, get into a cozy sweater, and start adding to yours!

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 30/09/2026

Author and friend of the podcast Melissa Walker joined us back in 2024 to explain why The States Project is the most meaningful and efficient way to donate. player.captivate.fm/episode/0599...

player.captivate.fm

Stop Book Banning 2024

Quickly and easily listen to Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People for free!

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 30/09/2026

In 2024, Fated Statesers helped defend every Pennsylvania incumbent district and preserve the House majority. After a successful 2025 stint in Virginia, we're back in PA where we aim to flip the State Senate and build a blue trifecta.

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 30/09/2026

It's a lot harder to fundraise during the midterms, so we're not even halfway to our goal. If you have a few bucks to spare, please consider donating to the Fated States Project. fatedmates.net/givingcircle

fatedmates.net

Fated States | Join and Donate | The States Project

Learn more about Fated States on Grapevine.org

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 28/09/2026

LILAH GOODLUCK was a Best of 2024 pick. KISS COUNTDOWN was an Excellent 2024 Debuts pick. We talked about PRINCESS TRAP in Fake Engagement. We covered WHERE DREAMS BEGIN in Romance Retellings. fatedmates.net/episodes/2021/2/24/s0327-retellings-in-romance-novels-with-kate-clayborn#retellings

fatedmates.net

S03.27: Retellings in Romance Novels with Kate Clayborn — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People

We are joined by the fabulous Kate Clayborn — the first in the Fated Mates five-timer club! — to talk about about retellings in romance and to celebrate the launch of her new book,  Love At Fir...

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 28/09/2026

Huzzah for discounted DRM-free audiobooks! These are all $4-$6. THE PRINCESS TRAP www.awin1.com/cread.php?aw... THE KISS COUNTDOWN www.awin1.com/cread.php?aw... THE LAST DAYS OF LILAH GOODLUCK www.awin1.com/cread.php?aw... WHERE DREAMS BEGIN www.awin1.com/cread.php?aw...

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 24/09/2026

You might not know it from what they're wearing, but these books give strong sweater weather vibes. Here are ten more romances that feel like fall. fatedmates.net/episodes/202...

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Megan Frampton 🤷🏻‍♀️ @meganf.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Did two hours of phonebanking; I HATE talking on the phone, but saving democracy is more important than my comfort.

fatedmates.net

FATED STATES — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 25/09/2026

Let the New York Public Library explain the history of gothic romance to you. www.nypl.org/blog/2018/10...

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 25/09/2026

Jessa Kane books are $1. Starter Level fatedmates.net/episodes/202... Two Ps, One V Level fatedmates.net/episodes/202... Daddy Level fatedmates.net/episodes/202... Voyeur Level fatedmates.net/episodes/202... Big Man Level fatedmates.net/episodes/202... Bad Man Level fatedmates.net/episodes/202...

fatedmates.net

Jessa Kane New Year's Eve Extravaganza — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People

We’re talking priests and daddy kink, mafia hitmen, billionaires, husky heroes, stepbrothers and what Joanna Shape refers to as the Kane-Trope-Wheel.

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 24/09/2026

THIS SATURDAY, September 26th, at 1pm eastern, join Fated States to phonebank for James Talarico & Gina Hinojosa in Texas! REGISTER NOW: fatedmates.net/fatedstates

a romance clinch where the woman is labeled "me" and the man's bare butt she's reaching for is labeled "democracy".

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 24/09/2026

You can get Kate's Crew for free from Amazon. link.amazon/B0fITW3Iy You can get The Carpenter DRM-free ($1) from @bookshop.org. bookshop.org/a/5779/9781988826288 #bd

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 24/09/2026

You might not know it from what they're wearing, but these books give strong sweater weather vibes. Here are ten more romances that feel like fall. fatedmates.net/episodes/202...

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 23/09/2026

So many of our favorite people!

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 23/09/2026

Get it! link.amazon/B01k1nkSs

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 23/09/2026

Thanks to Lucy Score, HarperCollins,MJ Hastings, and LJ Andrews for sponsoring this week's episode. fatedmates.net/episodes/2026/9/21/s0903-carpenters-plumbers-and-other-metaphorical-romance-jobs#sponsors

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 23/09/2026

We’re hopping in the wayback machine to talk about books from the 00s and early 10s, on a continuum of content from “oh this has a whole plot” to “here’s a great one-handed read.” We’ve got plumbers, blacksmiths, contractors and a sentient screwdriver…there is literally something here for everyone.

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AmandaWorking @amandaworking.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

"Because feminism is abt freedom and justice for EVERYONE. And if that's not what's achieved at the end of the book -- if the world is not better -- not just her life, the WORLD that began in her book -- isn't better, & her community isn't better, her worldview isn't bigger, then it's not feminist"

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 22/09/2026

Not sure about phonebanking? Here's some actual footage from last weekends's Fated States session. We're doing it again this Saturday! Join us to call Texas for James Talarico & Gina Hinojosa. REGISTER: fatedmates.net/fatedstates

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 21/09/2026

Just discovered DRM-free versions of some of our favorite Books That Bang. fatedmates.net/episodes/2022/6/7/s0438-these-books-bang#the

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 13/09/2026

Useful (OK, nerdy) trick. If you want to link directly to the recs on any Fated Mates page, you can add "#word" to the end of the URL. With "word" being the first word of the heading for that section.

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 20/09/2026

Author and friend of the podcast Melissa Walker joined us back in 2024 to explain why The States Project is the most meaningful and efficient way to donate. player.captivate.fm/episode/0599...

player.captivate.fm

Stop Book Banning 2024

Quickly and easily listen to Fated Mates - Romance Books for Novel People for free!

042

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Sparky @jesseroth.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I just participated in the FUNNEST phonebank for Jon Ossoff with @indivisibleeb.bsky.social and the hosts of the @fatedmates.net podcast! Great hosts, bingo, giveaways and inspiring success stories. Sign up to PB with them any Saturday a.m. for Ossoff, Talarico, El-Sayed or Pearson below. 🌊💪🌊

fatedmates.net

FATED STATES — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People

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Lynn Ann @froggydear.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The Proposition! A man has never been so obsessed with legs

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 22/07/2026

The Random Romance Recommender will randomly recommend a book we've talked about on the show and provide the episode info for context. It's a never-ending TBR. fatedmates.net/rrr

fatedmates.net

Random Romance Recommender — Fated Mates: Romance Books for Novel People

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Fated Mates @fatedmates.net · 18/09/2026

THIS SATURDAY, September 19th, at 1pm eastern, join Fated States to phonebank for Jon Ossoff, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Democrats all the way down the ballot in Georgia! REGISTER NOW: fatedmates.net/fatedstates

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