Scheduled Downtime and DragonCon

FictionAlley will be down for about an hour starting at midnight Eastern time on August 28, because we need to replace a failing drive. This will impact all fics, reviews, boards and other content, but we'll be back soon!
Remember, FictionAlley's hosting fees are about $200 per month, and we need your support to cover those costs. Learn how to donate to FictionAlley here!

If you're going to be at DragonCon this weekend, join us at the Velocity Bar at the Marriott on Saturday night from 9 PM on for chocolate nachos and fannish conversation. Follow FA's Heidi on Twitter to get exact info about where we'll be - and we hope to see you at the YA track, with Natalia Tena or Lev Grossman, and of course on Sunday night at the Yule Ball, featuring the Blibbering Humdingers!

Two Views of our SDCC Harry Potter Panel

We filled a room with over 800 Harry Potter fans, to celebrate the fandom and its remarkable, ongoing, vibrant creativity. SO many thanks to panelists Lauren Bird (HPA), Joey Richter & Brian Rosenthal (StarKid), Alex Carpenter (Remus Lupins), Harrison Homel (IQA), Mark Oshiro (MarkReads), Leslie Combemale (ArtInsights) and Kazu Kibuishi (new Harry Potter US book covers).

Yes, we hope to do it again in 2014 - but this time, with an afterparty so we can continue to celebrate the magic that is the Harry Potter fandom.
After all this time?

Coming to Comic-Con?

Hello, San Diego!
If you're coming to Comic Con, the Harry Potter fandom has some terrific plans!
The annual Harry Potter Fandom Panel (Still Magic!) takes place on Sunday, July 21 at 4:15 PM in Room 6DE at the Convention Center. Sixteen years after we first went to Hogwarts, fans are still discussing, creating and gathering online and in person to share their love for J. K. Rowling's stories, and for the fandom! Look back, ahead, and into the Mirror of Erised with forever HP fans, including moderator Heidi Tandy (FictionAlley.org), Joey Richter and Brian Rosenthal (Team StarKid/A Very Potter Senior Year), Mark Oshiro (MarkDoesStuff.com), Harrison Homel (International Quidditch Association), Leslie Combemale (ArtInsights), Alex Carpenter (The Remus Lupins), and Lauren Bird (HP Alliance). Comic-Con badges are required for admission to this panel.

FictionAlley's Heidi Tandy is also on a panel on fanfiction with others who've contributed essays to SmartPop Books' FIC!, which is coming out this fall. Fanfiction has recently moved into the spotlight, with fic authors getting impressive book deals and Amazon announcing Kindle Worlds. But there's a lot more to the story than Fifty Shades of Grey. Panelists Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Christina Lauren (tby789 and LolaShoes, Beautiful Bastard), Rachel Caine (Morganville Vampires, Weather Wardens), V. Arrow (aimmyarrowshigh, The Panem Companion), and Heidi Tandy (heidi8, Organization for Transformative Works) discuss how fan writing-from missing scenes to remixes and crossovers-and other fanworks re-imagine the boundaries of everything from sexuality and gender to character and authorship. They'll discuss the way fan culture is challenging today's entertainment and publishing industry norms, and consider the value a noncommercial creative space can bring to emerging and even professional writers and artists. Moderated by Anne Jamison (Fic: Why Fanfiction Is Taking Over the World). It's on Friday from 2 - 3 PM in Room 29A; badges are required for this panel, too.
If you're interested in fanfic, please join our friends at the OTW for A Meet-Up Of Our Own. Join Team OTW, MarkDoesStuff and a flock of fandomers, authors and readers who use and enjoy the AO3. There'll be pitchers of margaritas & sodas, as well as snacks like chips and salsa.

We're hosting activities including a few rounds of Cards Against Humanity. You'll also have plenty of chances to meet fellow fans, learn about OTW members' Comic Con panels and share - and get - your own Comic Con tips. And yes, we'll have prizes and giveaways, too!

We'll be at the Tequila Bar at the Marriot Marquis & Marina adjacent to the Convention Center from 8 PM until after 9:30, so we'll overlap with the end of Preview Night. To join us at A Meet-Up Of Our Own, no Comic Con badge (or Preview Night registration) is required; we're just asking for $5 donations. Anonymous donors have underwritten much of the cost of the event, so any surplus will be donated to OTW.

There's a lot of other events and panels for fanfic and fandom fans at Comic Con, including "When Grrls Fall In Love" on Saturday afternoon, TheOneRing.net's preview of The Desolation of Smaug, a Twilight fanfic panel, and a sneak preview of Catching Fire, the next Hunger Games film.

Let us know if you'll be at SDCC, or come and say hi to Heidi at any of her panels - she'll have vintage FictionAlley temporary tattoos for anyone who asks!

Welcome to our 2013 April Fool's Day Flashback!

Welcome to our 2012 April Fools' Day Flashback Cover Fest
Click reload to see another image!

WB Studio Tour Grand Opening

Bonnie Wright signing autographs on the red carpet of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour


FictionAlley is live and onsite at the grand opening of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London. #ff @fictionalley for live tweets and pictures beginning now, 3 pm on Saturday, 31 March 2012.

More pictures from the red carpet:

Evanna Lynch

Helen McCrory

Rupert Grint

George Harris

WB Studio Tour Press Junket

Be sure to #ff @fictionalley for live updates of today's WB Studio Tour press conference in London (29 March 2012) beginning at 2 pm GMT.

Update: Here are some pictures from the event:

Hogwarts model

Wand display at Ollivanders

Evanna Lynch and Warwick Davis at the press conference

Tom Felton and Rupert Grint at the press conference

David Yates and David Heyman at the press conference

The main doors of Hogwarts with press conference participants

And check out FictionAlley on Twitter (@fictionalley) for more pictures!

Ascendio's Quill Track

If you're a fan of YA, general book geekery or an aspiring writer (original or fanfiction!), Ascendio has the programming track for you! The Quill Track will be an entire track of programming (both formal and informal!) dedicated to all things books and writing.

Best of all, the Quill Track is 100% included in your Ascendio registration!

Ascendio is the eighth event put on by HPEF, a nonprofit organized by Harry Potter fans to put on amazing, educational and fun events for fans, academics, writers, authors, Quidditch players, debaters, and anyone who loves discussing - or has been inspired by - the Harry Potter series of books and films. HPEF also hosted events like Nimbus - 2003, Azkatraz and Infinitus 2010, and the event is set to take place in Orlando, Florida from July 12 - 15, 2012. Click here for the website.

Currently, several authors, all bonafide Harry Potter fans, are confirmed for the Ascendio Quill Track, including Lev Grossman, Beth Revis, Veronica Roth and Aimee Carter.

We will also have not one, but THREE literary agents who will be in attendance: Carlie Webber of the Jane Rotrosen Agency, Lindsay Ribar of the Sanford J. Greenburger Associates agency, and Joanna Volpe, Vice President of the Nancy Coffey Literary Agency. Carlie, Lindsay and Joanna will all be hosting pitch sessions, as well as leading discussions on the publishing industry and writing.

Here are some of the great things you can look forward to as part of the Ascendio Quill Track:

• "Book club" readings/signings/discussions with YA authors, such as Beth Revis, Veronica Roth & Aimee Carter
• Panel discussions on hot topics in publishing, including commercial publishing vs. self-publishing, LGBTQ in YA, how to get an agent, and more
• Practical presentations by successful fans-turned-published authors on how to go from fanfic to pro writing, as well as how-tos on self-publishing ebooks
• Workshops on writing (fanfic and original) and critiquing
• The opportunity to give a one page pitch & receive feedback from a real live literary agent!

Of course, Ascendio is still all about Harry Potter, but we realize that many fans -- including many of us on staff! -- love books in general, and have been inspired by Harry Potter and fandom to move on to our own original writing. Hence, the Quill Track was born, by Harry Potter fans, for Harry Potter fans... who also love books and writing! You can expect most, if not all, topics on the Quill Track to relate to Harry Potter, though some will also discuss other titles in YA, middle grade and adult contemporary canon. All of the authors, agents and presenters on the Quill Track are Harry Potter fans, and many of them either wrote Harry Potter fanfic or have actively participated in HP geekery in the past.

The Quill Track is still a part of Formal Programming at Ascendio -- we just decided to give all writing/publishing programming a special name so it’s easy to find on the program and at the con! What does this mean? The Quill Track needs you! You can submit a programming proposal for the Quill Track about any of the above topics, or anything you come up with -- if it has to do with writing (original or fanfiction!), publishing or books other than Harry Potter (such as The Hunger Games, Divergent), you can propose it for the Quill Track!

Check out the bios and additional information on our website!

Sorry about the gap in fic announcements...

We tried to set up the RSS feed to post to the front page and it didn't work as it was supposed to. We're going to collate the postings from the last three weeks and do an update, and then plan to post a weekly update going forward, from February on.
If anyone is interested in helping with the postings, please email us at heidi@fictionalley.org - and thanks in advnace!

New fics on December 31, 2011

[TDA] Lost Innocence by coppertop1 (Chapters: 9)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 246 hits - 10161 words Genre: Angst, Drama - Main character(s): Canon Female Character - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Tracey Davis is fourteen, and about to learn some hard life lessons.

 

[AT] From Opposite Sides by BreeLee91 (Chapters: 7)

Rating: 15 - Spoilers: HBP, DH - 411 hits - 5486 words Genre: Romance, Inspirational - Main character(s): Canon Female Character, Canon Male Character - Ships: Canon Female Character, Canon Male Character - Era: Multiple Eras Ted was a Muggle-born. Andromeda was a pure-blood from one of the greatest Wizarding families in history. Until she married him. We know them as the parents of Nymphadora Tonks. This is their story. And just wait until you find out who’s telling it!

[Rid] Harry Potter and the Tales of The Bard by Professor McGuire (Chapters: 2)

Rating: PG - Spoilers: None - 76 hits - 4231 words Genre: Parody, Humor - Main character(s): None - Ships: None - Era: Unspecified Era What happens when the "Harry Potter" characters meet an insane fan fiction author with a slight obsession with The Bard? This cliched bit of nonsense! Part one of The Calypso Adventure.

[Sch] They Shook Hands : Post-Canon Revision : Year One by Dethryl (Chapters: 3)

Rating: PG - Spoilers: PS/SS, QTTA, FB, JKR - 81 hits - 13780 words Genre: Alternate Universe, Friendship - Main character(s): Canon Female Character, Canon Male Character, Draco, Harry, Pansy - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years After swearing I was done tinkering with the first entry in the series, the Muse struck me. Essentially the same story, but with a more solid introduction to the new characters. Names changed to protect the innocent. Less canon text. More Snape!

 

New fics on December 30, 2011

[TDA] Lost Innocence by coppertop1 (Chapters: 7)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 224 hits - 8328 words Genre: Angst, Drama - Main character(s): Canon Female Character - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Tracey Davis is fourteen, and about to learn some hard life lessons.

[AT] ASP & SM by Professor McGuire (Chapters: 1)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: EPI - 0 hits - 9122 words Genre: Romance, Friendship - Main character(s): Albus Severus Potter, Scorpius Malfoy - Ships: Albus Severus Potter/Scorpius Malfoy - Era: Children of Characters in the HP novels Scorpius tilted his head, looking at Albus like he was a difficult Arithmancy problem. “Well, let’s think,” he said, fingering a lock of his blond hair thoughtfully. “With names like “Albus” and “Potter,” everyone probably already figures you for a Gryffindor.” He shook his head slowly. “Not me, though.” “Oh?” Albus said nervously. “What do you think?”

[Sch] Alexandra Quick and the Stars Above by Inverarity (Chapters: 1)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 0 hits - 6963 words Genre: Original Characters, General - Main character(s): Original Female Character - Ships: None - Era: In the nineteen years Alexandra Quick has discovered the dark secret at the heart of the Confederation, survived a visit to the Lands Beyond, and been given seven years to live. Now she's determined to cheat her fate and see justice done. Standing in her way is a vengeful conspiracy and secrets even she is not prepared for. She'll need the help of her friends and loved ones, but even that may not be enough against the power of the Stars Above. This is book four of the Alexandra Quick series. For more information, see the Quickipedia. View cover art and other images. Published: December 30, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 30, 2011

[AT] Playing With Firewhiskey by sojealously (Chapters: 5)

Rating: 15 - Spoilers: PS/SS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, HBP, DH, EPI, QTTA, FB, BB, JKR - 497 hits - 20457 words Genre: Romance, Drama - Main character(s): George Weasley, Original Female Character - Ships: George Weasley/Original Female Character - Era: In the nineteen years One year after the War is over, George still hasn't gotten over Fred's death. Ron swears George needs a distraction to get away from "last year." Then, George meets Kaitlyn Thompson. Kaitlyn is loyal - to a fault. After all, that's what made her a great Hufflepuff. Her older brother (who has problems of his own, mind you) swears she needs to get out more, and break up with her awful boyfriend. Kaitlyn disagrees. Then, she meets George Weasley. Published: November 3, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 30, 2011

[Sch] Rose Weasley and the Callamitus Clause by Alissie (Chapters: 10)

Rating: G - Spoilers: PS/SS, CoS, PoA, GoF, OotP, HBP, DH, EPI, JKR - 1078 hits - 48109 words Genre: General, Mystery - Main character(s): Albus Severus Potter, James Potter II, Other Weasley, Rose Weasley, Scorpius Malfoy, Victoire Weasley - Ships: None - Era: Children of Characters in the HP novels Rose Weasley's To-Do List: -> Find out what enchantment is on family heirloom -> Protect two foreign friends -> Avoid Dark wizard who wants to kill aforementioned foreign friends -> Expose aforementioned Dark wizard -> Study for finals -> Don't get too close -> Try not to die -> Tea with Hagrid on Friday When history repeats itself, will Hogwarts be prepared?

New fics on December 29, 2011

[Sch] They Shook Hands : Post-Canon Revision : Year One by Dethryl (Chapters: 2)

Rating: PG - Spoilers: PS/SS, QTTA, FB, JKR - 11 hits - 8267 words Genre: Alternate Universe, Friendship - Main character(s): Canon Female Character, Canon Male Character, Draco, Harry, Pansy - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years After swearing I was done tinkering with the first entry in the series, the Muse struck me. Essentially the same story, but with a more solid introduction to the new characters. Names changed to protect the innocent. Less canon text. More Snape! Published: December 28, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 29, 2011

[TDA] World's Smallest Violin by kazooband (Chapters: 10)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: OotP, HBP, DH - 1812 hits - 29275 words Genre: Adventure, Drama - Main character(s): Draco, Tonks - Ships: Remus/Tonks - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years “Mum, I’m an Auror. I helped arrest his father.” “Draco is not a Death Eater.” Tonks only just managed to bite back her response to that, but she could see that her mother knew that she wanted to say “Not yet.” “Nymphadora, either I was going to take him in, or Bellatrix would.” Published: November 27, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 29, 2011

Fic Checkers Needed!

FictionAlley seeks Fic Intake Team members. A perfect fit for veteran - and aspiring - tutors from college writing labs, English majors and those who love grammar and Harry Potter. You'll work with other fic intakers to determine whether fics meet FictionAlley's grammar, spelling and Harry Potter requirements, let authors know when things need further editing and seek out fics and essays that you think should be hosted on FA. You should have a couple of hours a week free to dedicate to this over the long term. If you're interested in joining the team, take the quiz here or get in touch with the Intake Coordinator at helpwanted@fictionalley.org .

New fics on December 28, 2011

[AT] Merry-Go-Round by BreeLee91 (Chapters: 1)

Rating: 15 - Spoilers: DH - 0 hits - 1203 words Genre: Romance, Slash - Main character(s): Original Female Character, Tonks - Ships: Original Female Character/Tonks - Era: 1981-1991 Deanne Jenkins knew what she was for a long time, but she hadn’t planned on ever telling anyone. This secret was going to go with her to the grave. One girl forced her to admit her feelings: Nymphadora Tonks. 

 

[TDA] Lost Innocence by coppertop1 (Chapters: 6)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 171 hits - 5986 words Genre: Angst, Drama - Main character(s): Canon Female Character - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Tracey Davis is fourteen, and about to learn some hard life lessons.

 

New fics on December 25-26, 2011

[TDA] World's Smallest Violin by kazooband (Chapters: 9)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: OotP, HBP, DH - 1543 hits - 28685 words Genre: Adventure, Drama - Main character(s): Draco, Tonks - Ships: Remus/Tonks - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years “Mum, I’m an Auror. I helped arrest his father.” “Draco is not a Death Eater.” Tonks only just managed to bite back her response to that, but she could see that her mother knew that she wanted to say “Not yet.” “Nymphadora, either I was going to take him in, or Bellatrix would.”

[TDA] Lost Innocence by coppertop1 (Chapters: 4)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 142 hits - 4070 words Genre: Angst, Drama - Main character(s): Canon Female Character - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Tracey Davis is fourteen, and about to learn some hard life lessons.

New fics on December 24, 2011

[TDA] Lost Innocence by coppertop1 (Chapters: 3)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 78 hits - 3479 words Genre: Angst, Drama - Main character(s): Canon Female Character - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Tracey Davis is fourteen, and about to learn some hard life lessons.

New fics on December 23, 2011

[AT] These Years Past by BeautifulSinfulVice (Chapters: 1)

Rating: 15 - Spoilers: DH, EPI - 0 hits - 1101 words Genre: Slash, Romance - Main character(s): Fred, George - Ships: Fred/George - Era: Multiple Eras When the years go by, there isn't a day in them where the twins are forgetful of their precious youth and the time they spent together. Twincest, Slash, Fluff, and Slight AU for this fangirl's denial of certain things.~ Rating will go up in later chapters.

 

[AT] Another Life by BeautifulSinfulVice (Chapters: 1)

Rating: 15 - Spoilers: None - 0 hits - 894 words Genre: Slash, Romance - Main character(s): Fred, George - Ships: Fred/George - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Fred thinks that maybe, just maybe, in some other life, he and George could have what it takes to adopt a couple of children...then again...maybe not so much. Plenty of twincest and fluff to run amok.~

[AT] From Opposite Sides by BreeLee91 (Chapters: 6)

Rating: 15 - Spoilers: HBP, DH - 302 hits - 4955 words Genre: Romance, Inspirational - Main character(s): Canon Female Character, Canon Male Character - Ships: Canon Female Character/Canon Male Character - Era: Multiple Eras Ted was a Muggle-born. Andromeda was a pure-blood from one of the greatest Wizarding families in history. Until she married him. We know them as the parents of Nymphadora Tonks. This is their story. And just wait until you find out who’s telling it!

[TDA] Lost Innocence by coppertop1 (Chapters: 3)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 10 hits - 3476 words Genre: Angst, Drama - Main character(s): Canon Female Character - Ships: None - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Tracey Davis is fourteen, and about to learn some hard life lessons.

 

New fics on December 22, 2011

[TDA] World's Smallest Violin by kazooband (Chapters: 8)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: OotP, HBP, DH - 1258 hits - 21655 words Genre: Adventure, Drama - Main character(s): Draco, Tonks - Ships: Remus/Tonks - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years “Mum, I’m an Auror. I helped arrest his father.” “Draco is not a Death Eater.” Tonks only just managed to bite back her response to that, but she could see that her mother knew that she wanted to say “Not yet.” “Nymphadora, either I was going to take him in, or Bellatrix would.” Published: November 27, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 22, 2011

New fics on December 21, 2011

[TDA] Confessions of a Death Eater by BreeLee91 (Chapters: 6)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: GoF, OotP, DH - 251 hits - 4767 words Genre: Darkfic, Character Sketch - Main character(s): Bellatrix, Draco - Ships: None - Era: Multiple Eras Ever wonder how Bellatrix Lestrange came to be such a wicked witch? The thoughts that went on in her mind? She left behind a letter that tells all... Published: December 9, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 21, 2011

New fics on December 20, 2011

[AT] Harmonious Dissimilarity by BeautifulSinfulVice (Chapters: 1)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: None - 0 hits - 1121 words Genre: Slash, Romance - Main character(s): None - Ships: Fred/George - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Everybody was resolutely convinced that Fred and George Weasley were just too identical to tell apart. Perhaps by reading these series of drabblets, one might have the insgight to actually tell them apart...Twincest, slash, fluff~

 

[TDA] Confessions of a Death Eater by BreeLee91 (Chapters: 5)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: GoF, OotP, DH - 197 hits - 3931 words Genre: Darkfic, Character Sketch - Main character(s): Bellatrix, Draco - Ships: None - Era: Multiple Eras Ever wonder how Bellatrix Lestrange came to be such a wicked witch? The thoughts that went on in her mind? She left behind a letter that tells all...

 

New fics on December 18, 2011

[TDA] Confessions of a Death Eater by BreeLee91 (Chapters: 4)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: GoF, OotP, DH - 125 hits - 2936 words Genre: Darkfic, Character Sketch - Main character(s): Bellatrix, Draco - Ships: None - Era: Multiple Eras Ever wonder how Bellatrix Lestrange came to be such a wicked witch? The thoughts that went on in her mind? She left behind a letter that tells all... Published: December 9, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 18, 2011

[AT] Ginny's All That by cherryred (Chapters: 9)

Rating: R - Spoilers: None - 544 hits - 18404 words Genre: Romance, Alternate Universe - Main character(s): Blaise, Draco, Ginny, Harry - Ships: Draco/Ginny - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years Pansy has just kicked Draco to the curb and places a bet with some of his buds that he could get any girl at Hogwarts. He bets his friends that he could make Ginny the Princess of the the Ball at the year-end dance and get her into bed. Play on the movie She's All That. Published: December 9, 2011 (between Deathly Hallows and Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 18, 2011

[TDA] World's Smallest Violin by kazooband (Chapters: 7)

Rating: PG-13 - Spoilers: OotP, HBP, DH - 1051 hits - 18531 words Genre: Adventure, Drama - Main character(s): Draco, Tonks - Ships: Remus/Tonks - Era: The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years “Mum, I’m an Auror. I helped arrest his father.” “Draco is not a Death Eater.” Tonks only just managed to bite back her response to that, but she could see that her mother knew that she wanted to say “Not yet.” “Nymphadora, either I was going to take him in, or Bellatrix would.” Published: November 27, 2011 (after Beedle the Bard) - Updated: December 18, 2011