March 31st, 2003

A couple of announcements

Parts will be posted fairly regularly between now and BardCon on May 24th...so check the site often.

Blurb: Fiction and Fan Fiction Reviews Under LOVE & ROMANCE: A Change in Season by JLynn Reviewed by Valkyrie http://www.futuremuse.com/blurb/love/stories_c.htm#achangeinseason2

Welcome to a new bard at the Academy, KatharosXG: I Drove All Night [Über/alt/finished]
As their anniversary approaches, Erika and Megan have a fight just as Erika is leaving for yet another business trip. Read how they spend their time apart and how their thoughts invariably travel to one another.

The Sad One by Verrath [postFIN/alt/finished]
Here is my latest completed offering - my own take on the Years After. Like many others, I could not leave the Show the way it ended. It left me wondering how Gabrielle would have fared... here's the result. A tad on the somber side, I might add.

The Zero Factor by David Duncan
In the conclusion to the Ashlocke trilogy, Xena, Gabrielle, and Eve must help Dave and the students face Ashlocke and the Strand. (R)

Legacies by David Duncan
When Clark is exposed to a strange cosmic virus, can Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and the others get him a cure in time? (xover--Forever Knight, Andromeda, Mutant X and Smallville) (R)

Added part 7 (chapter 13-15) of Jules Matthews' Learning to Trust

Added part 3 of Tag Team by Shirley Roberts

March 30th, 2003

Added Chapter 2,Chapter 3, Chapter 4 & Chapter 5 of Touching Steele by JenX & Shana

Added Chapter 2,Chapter 3 & Chapter 4 of Searching by JenX

March 29th, 2003

Chance Encounter by Littlespit [Über/alt/finished]
A story about how a chance encounter can ultiimately fulfill every fantasy...and then some!

New eBooks
Gulf Breeze – Gerri Hill
Specter of Fear – Erin O’Reilly
Summer of Need – JW Heart
My Sister’s Keeper – Mavis Applewater
Summer Reign – kaia
Swimming for Shore – Little Mac
Spellbound – Medora MacD
The Forest – Ri
Strength of the Heart – Carrie Carr
Stranger in the Garden – Claire Withercross

March 28th, 2003

Added chapters 9 & 10 of Hidden Desires by Vertigo

Added part 3 of Amanda's Melody by Amanda

March 27th, 2003

Gulf Breeze by Gerri Hill [original/alt/finished]
Carly Cambridge wanted nothing more from life than to get the latest Habitats For Nature project off the ground. She had come home to the Texas Gulf Coast to do just that. But when photographer Pat Ryan enters her life, she finds herself wanting something she swore she would never have again. And Pat, always searching for that someone to take her breath away, finds that and more in Dr. Cambridge. But Carly is not easily convinced to take a chance on love.

Here is another addition to Mavis Applewater's Wednesday Afternoon Series
Sophie's Game Part Three
Cal and Sophie are back and this time they are faced with some very serious challenges.

Yes, finally, here is part 16 the conclusion of Mavis Applewater's My Sisters Keeper!

March 26th, 2003

We'd like to reannounce this story orginially posted on monday to give credit to both authors.

Wide Awake by Kim Pritekel and Alexa Hoffman[Über/alt/complete]
PWP...

Added part 2 of Love on the Line by Dimples

March 25th, 2003

Announcement from Phil-

C'mon down....
TARAKERRY
It was an unanimous vote that TaraKerry won not only the closest to the real deal category but also the most humorous in the Missy Good Bubblewrap Challenge.
We're still shaking our head as to the "Denise agreed with all of us" deal. You folks have no idea just how truly scary that concept is. <.shudder.>
So Tara...Missy has your shirt and the Academy has your undies...
Ummmmmm...wait. That didn't sound right.
We'll be in contact with you about your clothes.
Wait...that wasn't any better.
Email everyone where you would like your stuff shipped and let the Academy also know your preference as to which undies item you want.
CONGRATULATIONS TARA!!!
OZ
BardCon/Academy Bard Challenge #8

March 24th, 2003

The Forest by Ri [clone fic/alt/complete]
Clone fiction...

Wide Awake by Kim Pritekel [Über/alt/complete]
PWP...

Added part 5 of Homestretch by GirlBard

Added part 4 of At Last by GirlBard

Added part 2 of Tag Team by Shirley Roberts

March 23rd, 2003

Added part 2 of Ellis Acton Bell's A Shepherd's Tale

March 22nd, 2003

New eBooks
Snowed In – Sheri
Naked Warrior – Sapphic Warrior
Lexicon for the Sunday Morning Sleeper – Vivian Darkbloom
Narcoleptic’s Guide to Romance – Vivian Darkbloom
Grave Robber – Jane Fletcher

March 21st, 2003

Announcement

We have the entries for the Missy Good Bubble Wrap contest up now at http://www.academyofbards.org/contest/2003/missy/contest.html. The one closest to the REAL DEAL story (as determined by Missy) wins the Lucy Lawless designed Breast Cancer Awareness Tshirt (provided by Missy)...
Phil and I are looking for the one who writes the most entertaining story (as determined by us---but not Denise, she has no sense of humor <.bg.>) gets a pair of Academy Undies--Boxers or Thong or Panties (provided by the Academy).

For those who didn't enter or don't win ...you can purchase some of our special Missy edition items featuring the famous Apple Tree™ with the profits going to the Pediatric Aids Foundation
http://www.cafeshops.com/raob/66310

Stories

Added part 6, part 7, and part 8 of The Reason by Jenna Dixon

Added part 8 of Vertigo's Hidden Desires

March 20th, 2003

The Naked Warrior by Sapphic Warrior [xwp/alt/complete]
Xena has a fever but the bard also gets extremely hot and bothered as she listens to the warrior's lewd, delerious rantings. When Xena comes round it's to find her dream being presented to her on a plate.

Added part 18 of Poetry in Motion by Harley

Added Part 3 of a continuing series, Colliding Edges by J.W. Heart
Mika and Erin grow closer but others have plans to keep the girls apart.

March 19th, 2003

Added part 12 of Murder Has Two Faces by Tonya S. Coley

eBooks Removed (by request of author)
The Homecoming – Janet Lynne
The Journey – Janet Lynne

New eBooks
Remember Me – Midgit
Holiday Cheer – Mavis Applewater
Fanning the Flames – Mavis Applewater
Rude – Lois C Hart
Romance or something like it – Gerri Hill
Battling Herodotus – Lindsey
Soul Crossing – Web Bard

March 18th, 2003

A new great story by Jane Fletcher!
The Grave Robber [alt/original/complete]
Corrine doesn't believe in ghosts. So what problem could there be with retrieving a box of treasure from a crypt?

Welcome to the Academy, Ellis Acton Bell!

A Shepherd's Tale [original/alt/unfinished]
Life is simple on Chocolate Bayou, and Skip Fairchild a young shepherd leads a simple life until war threatens her little hamlet when the enemy takes over and occupies her island New Avalon.

March 17th, 2003

Welcome to another new bard at the Academy, Shirley Roberts!
Tag Team
A chance encounter on a highway in a winter storm brings Toni and Cynthia together. Two young women from different lifestyles grow to accept each other and become friends, and maybe something a bit more.

A Spark of Hope by PatsBard
summary pending

Added part 3 (Conclusion) of More Unlimited Sexual Favours by Cephalgia & MJ

In part 15 of Mavis Applewater's My Sisters Keeper, Jenny is struggling with her feeling towards Lizzie who may be leaving her life in the very near furture.

Added part 14 of Fate by Kaia

March 16th, 2003

Welcome to two new bards at the Academy, LH Miller and Lindsey!
The Longest Night by LH Miller
Xena has gone with the setting sun leaving Gabrielle alone on the mountain. What did she do? How did she face the world without her best friend...her partner? This short story attempts to explain the gap of time from that last light of Xena's life to Gabrielle's sailing away in the dawn of a new day. From my heart to the readers eyes, this is what I imagined happened.

Battling Herodotus by Lindsey
After a visit to Potadeia goes wrong Xena and Gabrielle visit the Amazons. When Herodotus decides to pay a visit in attempts to force Gabrielle to return to the village with him and start a normal life with a man she barely even knows things start to get a little hectic. What ensues is a little bit of violence, an Amazon Queen who lays down the law and Xena on her knee in front of a whole lotta women.

The cover for Noemi by Katia N. Ruiz

March 15th, 2003

Announcement NURTURING SOULS IS NOW AVAILABLE!
After many months, Nurturing Souls by DS Bauden, has finally been released. The novel is the combined stories of A Fresh Start and In Healing Arms. The story has been changed from its on-line version, but you will enjoy the revisions. It is available on-line through the Openbook, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and can be ordered through any bookseller you may frequent.
Here is a summary of the story:

Nurturing Souls by DS Bauden
Nurturing Souls is a story of a young girl, Alicia, who has lost her parents to a horrible car accident. She moves to Montana from Chicago to live with her Aunt Edna on her ranch to try and rebuild her life. There she meets, Sydney, an Australian woman who tends to the animals on Edna's ranch. The two become fast friends and soon after, lovers. Alicia must go back to Chicago to sell her parents home. Syd's past comes back to haunt her and puts Ally and Syd's relationship to the test.March 14th, 2003

While we've gotten this new to the Academy bard to play in some of our holiday invitationals, we've not had her here with her other stories, so I'm happy to welcome Vivian Darkbloom to the Academy!

A Narcoleptic's Guide to Romance
A not-happy story that briefly chronicles the endgame of the not-happy relationship of Kate, a religious narcoleptic, and Danny, a cute boozehound with a trust fund. Told largely from Danny's POV.
A Lexicon for the Sunday Morning Sleeper
The sequel to Narcoleptic. Kate chooses an unusual form in which to categorize her thoughts on a variety of topics, including the events of 9/11. The only problem is that every letter of the alphabet leads back to Danny.

Added part 4 of Homestretch by GirlBard

Added part 3 of At Last by GirlBard

March 14th, 2003

Announcement

Looks like we are closing in on 4 million hits in the next day or so on our What's New page. While I don't want to look and see people hitting reload, I do want the person who is number 4 million to get a screen shot (I'm a Mac users, you can get a screen shot by hitting apple/shift/3 keys at the same time, if you have a PC you'll have to ask someone else). The person who sends us a copy of that screen shot showing they are number 4 million on the What's New page will get a little gift from the Academy courtesy of the great and wondrous Oz™ aka Phil, Warrior Nutcase.

Stories

Added part 2 of More Unlimited Sexual Favours by Cephalgia & MJ

Added part 3, part 4, and part 5 of The Reason by Jenna Dixon

and you guys don't have to threaten, implore, or bribe us anymore, Lida got the eBook done <g>. Well I suppose it doesn't hurt to bribe us..... <g>

New eBooks
First Lady – Blayne Cooper & TN

March 13th, 2003

First Lady by Blayne Cooper and T. Novan
In the sequel to Madam President we learn the trials and tribulations of trying to maintain a relationship, merge a family and still have time to be the leader of the free world.

In part 14 of Mavis Applewater's My Sisters Keeper recent events force Jenny and Lizzie to share some close quarters.

Added part 7 of Hidden Desires by Vertigo

New eBooks
Outcome – Kim Pritekel
One in a Billion – Candideyes
Choices – Doc
Game of chess – angharad governal
Tale From the Haunted Web - Shadowriter
Tale From the Haunted Web 2 – Shadowriter
Kiss of Death – Dimples
Our Grand Western Adventure – Xenalicious
Kussen Des Banditen – LA Tucker
A Change in Season - JLynn

March 12th, 2003

Announcement

I've been asked by Blayne Cooper (aka Advocate) to mention to you guys that First Lady, the sequel to Madam President is finished. She and T. Novan currently have it in the hands of beta readers but be looking for an announcement soon of it being posted on-line! We'll keep you up to date.

Stories

Just in time for St. Patricks Day, here are two Thanksgiving Stories from Mavis Applewater's Wednesday Afternoon Series.

Holiday Cheer, (Home For The Holidays Part 9)
Tressa & Lindsey are back for the last installment of the Home For The Holiday Series.

Fanning The Flames
A woman discovers that cooking a holiday meal can be not only challenging but rewarding as well.

Tales of the Wishing Stone-The Series by Candideyes [unfinished]
This is a series of short stories that deal with the premise that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes wishes aren't meant to come true as they can have very adverse consequences and don't turn out exactly as we had hoped. Join me on a journey as various characters will learn just why some wishes are better left unanswered.

Straight for the Holidays - Chapter One
Marilyn Miller had high hopes for her youngest daughter Jodi. Those hopes were dashed the day she found out her daughter was a lesbian. In a heated argument she tells her how she really feels. In front of relatives she tells Jodi, "I wish you were straight. I wish you had married Bobby McLane." The following morning her wish is granted only with dire consequences. This is their story.
Cock-a-doodle Day - Chapter Two
This story is about Jessie and Belinda, a very happy couple. Jessie has a secret fantasy that she shares with her lover. One night she tells Belinda, "I wish I could have a penis for one day. Is that so bad?" You decide.

Added part 19 of Time's Fell Hand by LJ Maas

March 11th, 2003

Stories

One in a Billion by Candideyes [alt/über/finished]
This story begins where Waking Up With the Conqueror ended, with Desire' and Danni kissing in a redneck bar in Las Vegas while Mattie and Annie look on. Follow the adventures of these two women as ancient souls reunite and reignite their love for each other until a dark mystery threatens to tear their union apart forever. Find out if they can overcome the terrible secret that threatens seperate them for eternity.

Added the conclusion of Outcome by Kim Pritekel and Alexa Hoffman

Added part 27 of Adeptus Major by PsiDraconis

March 10th, 2003

An announcement from Lori Strobel:

P.S: Send Help by Zoe C. [original/alt/finished]
Maura's Appalachian Trail diary...

Letter of Discovery by V. Anderson [Über/alt/unfinished]
New installment of "Lettre à Chaînes" Series...

March 9th, 2003

More Unlimited Sexual Favours by Cephalgia & MJ [über/alt/unfinished]
This is the sequel to Unlimited Sexual Favors. It follows Darcy and Wilder as they further explore their new relationship and reinforces the idea that to the victor, goes the spoils.

Gabrielle's Destiny by Candideyes [post FIN/alt/finished]
Xena and Gabrielle come back from Japan only to find out that Greece is under seige by an amazon princess. They are suprised to find out who the amazon is and are faced with some hard decisions as they reconcile some old feelings created by past mistakes and try to save Athens from destruction. This is the story of Destiny. Find out why she isn't just another villian and learn which hero she is related to.

The Reason by Jenna Dixon [über/alt/unfinished]
A tale about new friendships and past struggles

Added part 3 of Homestretch by GirlBard

March 8th, 2003

Added part 7 (revised version) of Denic's Something I Said

March 7th, 2003

Choices by Docc [über/alt/finished]
A young woman struggling with her sexuality and her family's non-acceptance finds help from a magical inn and a mysterious woman.

Added part 6 (chapter 11) of Jules Matthews' Learning to Trust

March 6th, 2003

Academy Logo News-

Phil and I are still wrestl....I mean.. "negotiating" over the winner of the Academy Logo. You guys would be blown away at some of the submissions..*most* of the submissions. We are really sorry it's taking us longer than anticipated. We'll let you guys know as *soon* as we decide, I promise!

Bardcon/Academy Story Challenge

If you have sent in your request for a premise and have not received it back yet, please send me another email. I appear to be completely caught up (again) but want to make sure that I don't miss anyone. All first requests for premises must be in by March 8th. The response to this challenge has been nothing short of INCREDIBLE. WOW! :o) If you have NO idea what I am talking about...go here for all the information: http://www.academyofbards.org/contest/2003/bardcon
Questions and premise requests? email me at PHIL728@aol.com or academy_contest@yahoogroups.com
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
OZ
http://www.bardcon.com

Stories

Added part 2 of Colliding Edges by JW Heart

Added part 3 of Blindsided by Colleen

Added revised part 5 and new part 6 of Coincidental Meetings by Mel RC

March 5th, 2003

A Change in Season by JLynn [original/alt/finished]
The frozen snowscape of a New York Christmas literally throws Elen out of her old life and into the warm arms of Gwen.

Added part 7 of Phair's By the Manor Owned

Added part 2 of At Last by GirlBard

Added revised version of Noémi by Katia N. Ruiz

March 4th, 2003

Announcement

Brings Innovation to GLBT LiteratureCavalier Press is something new in the publishing world - a small GLBT press with the values and reach of a large house.

In the last 20 years, most of the original GLBT publishing houses were bought up by the big boys - and over time, their imprints were simply allowed to die on the vine. A few valiant survivors struggled on, and in the last couple of years, a number of new small press companies have opened, with varying success.

But the GLBT community deserves choices, deserves good fiction, and deserves a publisher with the sense to reach out, to market effectively, to work hard to get books that we like in the mainstream bookstores. That's what Cavalier is committed to - providing good stories for the GLBT community that they can easily find, buy, read and enjoy!

Over the next few months, Cavalier will be accepting submissions and will be bringing some outstanding books to market, some from authors you already know and love, others from new folks with talent and skill.

As they say, watch our space at www.cavalierpress.com to see what's new, where you can find our books, and to give us feedback on what you, our readers, would like!

Stories

Added combined parts 14 and 15 of Outcome by Kim Pritekel and Alexa Hoffman

Added part 2 of Homestretch by GirlBard

March 3rd, 2003

An announcement from L. Crystal Michallet

It is my pleasure to announce that the March 2003 recipient of the Charani Award of Excellence in Fiction for Ethnic or Religious Diversity goes to Ana Ortiz for HABÁNAME. Ordinarily, I would go into detail and explain my decision, however, for this particular story, I decided to let just a small sample of the emails that I have personally receive speak for me.....

To view entire page, go to: http://www.charani.org/XenaDiversityFanFicAwards2003Pg2.html

Stories

Indian Summer by Anne Azel [Über/alt/finished]
Indian Summer is an epliogue to the Seasons Series.

Georgia On My Mind by Alex Tryst [Über/alt/finished]
Indian Summer is an epliogue to the Seasons Series.

Warrior...Princess...Klingon? by Nance Gice [classic/gen]
Xena is forced to contend with senseless tribe rituals when Gabrielle takes on her new roll as Amazon royalty. The situation quickly escalates by the appearance of some very unusual strangers.

Added part 17 (conclusion) of Ripples in Time by Lois Kay & Cbar

March 2nd, 2003

Some announcements...

This Time Around by BlackDaemon [Clone fic/alt/finished]
Xena and Gabrielle are alive and well in the 21st century, but each questions the role she has in a new and strange world. Will they learn to adapt, and more importantly, who are they now to each other?

Death is Just the Beginning by Dragonjuls [Über/alt/unfinished]
The Dragon has brought us this marvelous story that mixes humor and mystery. The consequences of a chance meeting between Millicent Packer and Violet Reed are far reaching and lasting. Join them in this uproarious who done it.

In part thirteen of Mavis Applewater's My Sisters Keeper, things heat up in more ways than one.

Added part 4 and part 5 of Learning to Trust by Jules Matthews

New eBooks
Halloween Memories - Jenah
Halloween to Remember - Tara Kerry Fairy Ring - Carole Giorgio
Flashback - Gabgold
Healing Journey - Simahoyo
Dex & Nellie’s Halloween Story - Lizzy Tendre
Ensorcelled - Lady Savay
That Friend of Mine - S. Lee

Repaired eBooks
IFMHSF - Awakenings - SX Meagher
IFMHSF - Beginnings - SX Meagher
IFMHSF - Coalescence - SX Meagher
IFMHSF - Disclosures - SX Meagher

March 1st, 2003

The City of Lost Angels by Pat Winterburn [Clone fic/alt/finished]
In this clone fic, Xena and Gabrielle are introduced into the 21st century. It seems nothing has changed for our heros. They're still fighting for the greater good and kicking some bad ass along the way.

Homestretch by Girlbard [Über; alt; unfinished]
Summary pending...

Added part 8, part 9 and the epilogue of All or Nothing by Leslaureate