October 31st, 2005

It's Halloween. You weren't expecting us to do anything special now were you? Oh you were? Well, good thing we don't like to disappoint. Without further ado, please check out our Halloween Invitational extravaganza!

http://www.academyofbards.org/halloween/2005

Enjoy!

October 30th, 2005

The Academy of Bards is sad to announce the passing of the excellent writer, LJ Maas. The complications from yesterday proved too much for her body to handle. We are looking into how to direct people to donate money for those who have expressed the desire to do so to help out her partner in this sad time.

We have had the honor of housing many of LJ stories over the past years and have had an excellent working relationship with her. This past summer, The Academy started a Hall of Fame. LJ was one of the authors who was consistently on the top of most lists. She was voted in as one of the best authors and two of her offerings, None So Blind and The Conqueror Series made the list for writing.

The last note we had going out to her fans was as a result of the Hall of Fame. It might be the last public note anyone got so we'd like to repeat it.

>From LJ Maas-
August 4th, 2005
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who voted for my HOF entry. I was flabbergasted-old expression, but apt. Mostly I was and am honored to be among so many friends and authors on that list whose works I have always enjoyed. The Academy & their hard work makes me believe Xena FF will always be with us.
Always Read & Enjoy, LJ Maas

Good-bye LJ, it was always a pleasure to see you at a con with your ready smile and eagerness to listen to me gush about how awesome I thought you were. We'll miss you.

Steph

Memories
- from Kim Pritekel

Very few people know that LJ Maas has a lot to do with my continuing to write after I finished 'First'. I was so blown away by its popularity, and being a very young writer, I worried that I'd never be able to match it. So, I wrote to her, my hero and inspiration at the time. She talked me through it, and convinced me to continue, and I did.

LJ Maas is the author of my all-time favorite novel, None So Blind, and I have looked up to her for a long time. I think it is an amazingly sad day, and I wonder if LJ ever knew just how beloved she really was.

A loss of not only great talent, but great heart in the Xenaverse. Rest well, LJ.

Kim Pritekel

Captive by The Raven [alt/Über/complete]
Things that go bump in the night... Or, perhaps: Things that hump in the night?

The New Adventures of Xena: Warrior Princess "Welcome To The Neighborhood" by Ernie Whiting [alt/Über/complete]
Forced to face the possibility of early retirement, Colonel Gina Ryan, USMC, and Captain Gabriella Duncan, MD, USN, want nothing more than to fit in with the rest of their new community. The question is, will an ass-kicking warrior and a mouthy Navy doctor find acceptance?

Added part 7 of Gravity by Lucid Dream

Added part 2 of A Librarian's Tale by T. Walker

October 29th, 2005

Announcement
-from The Academy of Bards

One of the best authors out there, LJ Maas, is in the hospital in intensive care. She took a fall and they are investigating whether or not she had a stroke. Please keep her and her partner in your thoughts. If we happen to get any other news, we'll let everyone know.

Her email is LJ Maas

I Want to Know What Love Is by BlueMoonWriter [alt/original/complete]
Inspired by Foreigner's song, "I Want to Know What Love is."

Added part 13 of Hindsight by Lois Kay

October 26th, 2005

Ghost Warrior by Phantombard [alt/über-alt universe/complete]
This Halloween tale featuring a legendary ghost and eternal love is set in the XWP alternate universe created in the story “Clonefic”.  Worlds collide as the spirits of a future clone and a long dead queen meet the modern Amazons and the descendants of Janice and Melinda on a special night that will bring them all together, blending past and future and sealing a rift between hearts that has lasted since the rise of Caesar Augustus.  Written for Halloween 2005.  Trick or Treat

Added part 3 of Spanish Eyes by Mary G

Added part 9 of Persian Encounter by Xanjaa and Patricia

Thank You
-from Dee Robinson, aka Xena Turner

A Heartfelt Thank You!

Well, I made it home safely and my luggage finally arrived over 24 hours later. I'm settled back at work. Ugh!

Before I get too settled, I wanted to thank the staff for another job well done. This was the best BardCon ever and a fitting way to end an era. I'll miss having the opportunity to see old friends and make new ones in the "Happiest Place on Earth".

Of course, I'll miss the excitement of the Talent Show. All of the acts were so wonderful. And the visuals... Who will ever forget seeing Denise and Renee in their leathers cavorting on stage??!!

I'd like to make a few acknowledgments on behalf of The Sublimes and myself:

The Sublimes would like to thank Tracy, Joob, Big T (Tara), Lauren and Linda for their constant support; Big T and Lauren for their guest appearances on 'Proud Xena'; and Lauren, again, as the magnificent costumer to the stars. We wore your creations proudly and I hope we did them justice. A special thanks goes out to Helen for her audio wizardry. You went the extra mile and it showed. We could not have done it without you!

I personally want to thank my cohorts in crime, Lil T (Tara) and Wendy. I'm so proud of you two. Thanks for working so hard and indulging me and all my dance ideas. It has been a pleasure working with you these past years. Now that it is over, I won't know what to do with myself. Oh yeah, rest up until there's another occasion. LOL!

Finally, a huge personal thanks goes out to Birda. Doc, I don't think I could have made it without your magical hands (get your heads out of the gutter; she's a very competent chiropractor!!). I'm so glad you were there. I know I wouldn't have been as effective without you!

OK, that's all. Now, back to your regular programming.

XT

October 25th, 2005

Added part 2 of Cornwel's Cruel Summer

October 24th, 2005

Added part 36 of Phantombard's In an Age Before

October 23rd, 2005

Cyrene ex Machina by Annaria [classic/alt/complete]
The two women, who can handle almost anything together, need the help of a mother in this first time story.

Added part 24 and part 25 of Untitled (working title Iditarod) by Redhawk

Announcement
-from Mavis

Vampires, Ghosts & Lesbians Oh My! Just in time for Halloween Mavis Applewater & Bluefeather books are offering Mavis Bites! A collection of erotic Halloween Tales including two tales never released on line. For those of you unable to attend BardCon this weekend, you can purchase your copy today by visiting www.bluefeatherbooks.com

October 19th, 2005

Welcome to the Academy, Bard of Meta!

Surprise! by Bard of Meta [classic/alt/complete]
Some unexpected events happen when Xena sets up a little surprise for Gabrielle. Even the Warrior Princess gets caught off guard!

Announcement
From Cavalier Press (about one of our favorite authors!):
 The Madonna of the Sorrows by Nene Adams is available for purchase!
http://www.cavalierpress.com/store.htm
 
Facing Evil and The Madonna of the Sorrows, and all other Cavalier Press titles, will be available for purchase at Orlando BardCon on Saturday, October 22.

October 18th, 2005

Added part 22 and part 23 of Untitled (working title Iditarod) by Redhawk

Added part 35 of In an Age Before by Phantombard

Announcement

The Tribe Press is please to announce the release of Paradise Found, 2nd edition, by Cruise & Stoley—premiering at the Orlando BardCon the weekend of October 21-23th, 2005. This long-awaited authors' edition is now professionally edited and contains additional material, including an alternate ending. The book is now 400 pages and will retail for $20. Anyone wishing to pre-order the book may do so via the paypal account—
thetribepress@earthlink.net, for BardCon pickup only.

All additional orders will be processed after BardCon. Please email thetribepress@earthlink.netfor more information.

October 17th, 2005

Request for Assistance
-from Minerva

I need a huge favor. Post this whole statement if you have to. If you can't, I will understand. My gf and I are really in a bind. I lost my job a couple weeks after Katrina. Neither one of us have recieved FEMA help because of some kind of mistake on our applications that still has not been fixed a month later. Red Cross only gave us vouchers for clothing and decided that was all they could give. She lost her job today as well as any hopes of retaining her apartment.  It was rented right from under her.  I may have found a job in Asheville, NC but we are in desperate need of housing in that area. We do not have the best of credit but we have enough money to pay atleast three months rent up front.  She is still employed until the last of November and will recieve a check until then as well as back pay for the time she did not get paid since the storm.  I know this is the equivalent of airing my laundry but I have become more than desperate.  We have no place to live. The temporary housing we acquired has come to an end. Also, we have two small kennel trained dogs.  We are looking for a two bedroom house or duplex for no more than 800 a month.  If anyone can help us, or know of someone who can please drop me an email at merci_nerva@hotmail.com

--from steph
Minerva has been posting stuff off and on at the Academy for the past 5 years. If anyone is able to help out one of our own, please contact her. I decided to post the whole statement to show exactly how desperate her situation is.

October 16th, 2005

The Dream by Evecho

October 14th, 2005

Alpha and Omega by Acidburn [classic/alt/complete]
People never refer to Xena by her given name when Gabrielle mentions her in passing, only 'The Chosen' – εκλεκτο?! – in the rare villages she visits in search of food or supplies.

Added part 3 of A Journey of Love and Life by Lissa

Added part 8 of When We Met by BSoiree

Added part 3 of Feel Like a Woman by Evecho

October 13th, 2005

Added part 34 of In An Age Before by PhantomBard

October 12th, 2005

Paradise Springs by Bard of New Mexico [complete]
Ryan and her visiting cousin Sarah decide to go camping in southern New Mexico and explore the ruins of a once-luxurious mountain resort at the end of the trail. When the trail branches, they take the wrong fork in the road.

Cruel Summer by Tanai Walker (Cornwel) [unfinished/alt/original]
Cruel Summer is an original action drama set in the distant future in Photon City a fictional metropolitan area. Six very different women; a war hero turned police chief, the ruthless mayor, an idealistic politician, a billion dollar heiress, a young pregnant criminal, and an android find love among the politics and civil strife of the city.

Added part 2 of Spanish Eyes by Mary G

October 11th, 2005

Added part 21 of Untitled (working title, Iditarod) by Redhawk

Added part 4 of Sausage Sizzler by Weebod

Added part 18 (the conclusion) of Twilight by Kim Pritekel

Added part 3 of Just Breathe by S. Lynne

October 10th, 2005

Added part 6 of Gravity by Lucid Dream

October 9th, 2005

Avenging Angel by Aurelia [Über/alt/complete]
What had started out as a casual trip to visit her father in Japan, turns into a deadly escapade for Clarissa Hughes. Kidnapped and fearing for her life, her luck changes with the appearance of a mysterious stranger, a samurai, who rescues her from her capture. Could this lone avenger turn out to be more of a danger to her than those men intent on killing her?

Added part 13 of AK Naten's Second Son

October 8th, 2005

An announcement from CL Hart
My first novel Facing Evil, has just been released through Cavalier Press.

A serial killer stalks the police officer who almost brought him to justice. Haunted by her failure, Detective Abby Stanfield retreats to a mountain resort where she becomes involved with Sarah, the beautiful woman in the cabin next door. And in so doing, she puts into motion a string of events that will have both women fighting for their love and their very survival.

You can purchase this mystery/love story through Cavalier Press http://www.cavalierpress.com/books/fe.htm or stop in at my website; http://www.CLHart.com

Facing Evil ~ ISBN: 0-9765664-2-7

Hero of Arcadia by Barbara Davies [Über/alt/complete]
Sequel to 'The Flight of the Gryphon'. The War is over at last, but at what cost? Mavra and Gwen meet again in the ruined city of Hauptburg, where the War Crimes Trial is underway.

October 7th, 2005

Family Gathering by Mavis Applewater [über/alt/complete]
Family Gathering is the third story in Mavis Applewater's Family Reunion Series. Shea and Maddie prepare to celebrate the holidays when an unexpected visitor disrupts their plans.

October 6th, 2005

Added part 33 of PhantomBard's In An Age Before

Danon's Rescue by Irish Bard [complete]
As Danon languishes in prison, the Amazons launch a rescue mission. Things go horribly wrong - putting Tara in Senator Ropel's vengeful hands. Will a desperate second attempt be successful?

La Otra by Crystal Michallet-Romero [original/short story/complete]
Even in the darkest moments, laughter can still be shared.

Heat and Hunger by Kelly Aten [complete]
They meet, and they melt.

October 5th, 2005

A Valiant Mind by D [complete/original/alt]
The next story in the 'valiant' series... Just an FYI, A Valiant Mind is complete. There are no more parts to that story. The next installment is the next story in the series - A Valiant Nightmare.

Another offering from Mavis Applewater's Wednesday Afternoon Series
Making the Grade, the sequel to Lessons Learned, Sharna and Kellie are back trying to begin their lives together.

Added part 7 of When We Met by B.Soiree

October 4th, 2005

Added part 17 of Twilight by Kim Pritekel

Added It Began as a Joke by Iro B. Hunter

October 3rd, 2005

Added part 8 of Organi by Mickey Minner

Added the conclusion of The Return of Unlimited Sexual Favors by MJ and Cephalgia

October 2nd, 2005

Added part 8 of Spring Break by Lady J

October 1st, 2005

Added part 20 of Untitled (working title Iditarod) by Redhawk

Added part 32 of Phantombard's In an Age Before