“What is the shortest word in the English language that contains the letters: abcdef?
Answer: feedback. Don't forget that feedback is one of the essential elements of good communication.”
July 4th, 2008
One of the great things about being recognized is that you receive this feedback from people. It is easy to see how sincere people are. It's nothing fake or jive. They're giving sincere appreciation. And it's not that easy to express. ~
John Astin
Added part 4 (conclusion) of the revised and re-edited version of Echoes of the Past J. M. Dragon & Erin O'Reilly
July 3rd, 2008
Sometimes you're not even sure which of your stories were failures. There are things I've written that I thought were complete catastrophes when I finished with them that have gone on to generate some of my most positive feedback.~
Len Wein
Added part 16 of Strength in Numbers by Jeanine Hoffman
July 2nd, 2008
If you don't get feedback from your performers and your audience, you're going to be working in a vacuum. ~
Peter M. Davies
Wild Things by Moondancer Drake [alt/original/complete]
Vicious bounty hunters and a jealous husband threaten to destroy the only real love two women have ever known. It is 1842…Cian McGregor travels from Scotland to the new world, desperate to escape the fate that awaits her if she’s caught by Marshall Kieve and his fellow bounty hunters. Cian’s journey carries her all the way into the wilds of Louisiana where she stumbles upon the last thing she expected, love. After years in an arranged and loveless marriage, Gwen is now pregnant and more unhappy than ever. She dreams of finding a secret lover among the nature spirits her Coushatta Indian mother often told her about, and escaping her provincial life. Shamed by these fantasies, Gwen keeps them locked away, secret from everyone, even her beloved sister Kitt until one day the mournful cry of a wounded Scottish wildcat pulls at Gwen's sympathies. When Cian reveals herself to be a handsome shape shifter, Gwen’s fantasy becomes real and brings consequences which threaten to alter everything both women have ever known.
Do You Remember? by Cam Taylor [alt/über/complete]
Told from a first person point of view, a woman reflects back on her life with her soul mate.
Added part 14 of Two-Part Harmony by Colleen
Added part 14 and part 15 of Strength in Numbers by Jeanine Hoffman
July 1st, 2008
It's July and you know what that means...it's MUNCHKIN MAYHEM MONTH.
AAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<.ahem.>
July is a very busy month at the Academy. <.sheepish grin.>
Firstly, it's Feed The Bards Month.
Annually, we ask that you rabid readers go on a feeding frenzy and stuff those Bardie mailboxes until they burst. Let the folks who continue to write and share their talents with you know how much you appreciate it. I know, I know...you're busy. But honestly, it only takes a second to click and send feedback. How else are they going to know that folks are reading? It's not like they can see you. <.g.> They are sharing their talent with you for FREE. Please let them know you appreciate their efforts.
We ask that when you send your emails to the individual Bards, you CC us atfeedthebards@yahoogroups.com. You must CC us or it does not count toward the contest. This is the only way we have of keeping track. The person who feeds the most Bards, in July, will get a personalized prize designed by the world famous Academy Artists and be named FAN OF THE YEAR.
How cool is that?
Secondly, July is also Hall of Fame month. We ask that you vote for your top 5 Bards and your top 5 stories or series. Please review the previous winners (from 2005-2007) here:
http://www.academyofbards.org/halloffame/
The only criteria is that the Bards and Stories nominated must be hosted at the Academy. The Bard must have at least one story (any story) posted at the Academy. The nominated Stories must be housed at the Academy. The exception to this is Missy Good. (She houses the Academy---argo, I mean ergo...her stuff is in a different room but the same building). Also, the stories and Bards do not have to pair up. That is to say, you can nominate five Bards and then five stories written by five other different bards. In addition, if the Bard is already in the Hall of Fame, you may continue to nominate other stories written by that Bard, if you deem them HOF worthy.
Which Bards tickle your fancy, drive you to dramatic distraction, or consistently keep you up all night reading their latest offerings? Which stories are so well written you go back to reread them again and again even though they are engraved in your memory forever? New favorites? Old favorites? Now is the time to honor them. We will take all your votes and tally them up.
The top 5 Bards and top 10 Stories will be our inductions for 2008. The Academy Munchkins will also honor a Bard with a Lifetime Achievement Award as well. But you won't find out who that is until the end of the month. Neener, neener, neener.
These Bards and Stories will receive a special banner on their pages indicating they are the your Hall Of Fame choices, as well as listing on the Hall Of Fame main page. In addition, the Academy will be sending each Bard a special personalized item to commemorate their induction. The voting period will run until July 27th. Then we will count up your selections and announce the new Hall Of Fame members. Please list your choices (5 Bards/5 Stories) in a single email and send it here: academy_contest@yahoogroups.com.
Thirdly, this month we are also asking all Bards to take part in the International Day of Femslash (July 19th). If you would like to show your support for femslash...we ask that you submit a story (drabble/short/long/epic-fanfic/uber/original) for posting on that day. Just mark your submission that you want it posted on July 19th. Check out the main site here for more info about the event:
http://www.femslashday.com/wiki/Main_Page
The Academy of Bards Staff would like to once again express their deep appreciation to all the Bards who continue to share their talents and provide entertainment and, in some cases, enlightenment to readers everywhere.
Now...go read, go feed, go vote, go write. :o)
OZ
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