heidi | New on FictionAlley in 2003 (Reply)

In the next week, we're going to start unveiling a few things we've been working on over the past few months - we're sure there will be something new on FA that interests you!

First, debuting at 11:00 pm New Zealand time on December 31, 2002 (check http://www.timezoneconverter.com for the time in your time zone) will be FictionAlley's brand new (semi-moderated) chat room. Please familiarize yourself with the rules - they're at http://www.fictionalley.org/chatrules.html - before you come to the room (url will be live on the front page when the room is opened).

Second, http://www.fictionalley.org//fictionalleypark/forums/forumdisplay.php?&forumid=122 is the location for the newest forum in the Sorting Section - it's called Bouillabaisse and it allows registered users to post links to fics (not hosted on FA) that are written in other languages. If there's a fanfic in a language we've forgotten, please let us know and we'll add the language. It will be live on January 1, 2003.

Third, as you may know, earlier this year, FictionAlley's management team incorporated in Minnesota as a non-profit corporation. We're now FAWC. What does this mean for you, the FA author, reader or Park user? A few things - if you want it to.

Anyone who's contributed to FictionAlley since June 1, 2002, and anyone who contributes going forward will be a Member of FictionAlley, much in the same way that a donation to any other nonprofit or charity (like a local public broadcasting channel if you live in the US) gives you that certain status. Members will have the ability to create bookmark lists on their Control Panel pages, and Members who donate at a certain level (to be announced) will also have notepads in their Control Panels as well. Members who meet certain qualifications (like being a parent, an educator, media specialist, published author or professional editor) will also be invited to serve on certain advisory panels. Keep your eye on http://www.fictionalley.org/members.html for more information, and if you'd like to make a donation, click here: https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=SupportFA%40fictionalley.org&item_name=FictionAlley+Membership+Subscription&item_number=010103&no_shipping=1&return=http%3A//www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark&cancel_return=http%3A//www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark&cn=User+Name+%28required%29&tax=0¤cy_code=USD

Fourth, Wibbles.org will be opening early in 2003. Wibbles.org is our new help desk email address - we're moving away from help@fictionalley.org to a slew of new email addresses that correspond to specific problems, questions or issues that you might have with FA. Look for the list at http://www.wibbles.org early in the new year.

Fifth, you may've heard about the small computer glitch with our new and comprehensive Cafe Press store - Cafe Press has recreated the T00b Top Shoppe, and the beta version of it is back up at http://www.cafeshops.com/fashoppe - obviously, it's still under construction, but if you put your (metaphorical) hard hat on, you can browse around!

Last, but certainly not least, this winter, look for FictionAlley's Writers In Residence Program to make its debut. A number of published authors and editors from around the world have offered to answer questions about writing fiction on FictionAlley's boards and in scheduled, moderated sessions in the chat room. A few have even offered to "beta read" sections of FA users' original works! More details are still to come, but we thank the authors who've offered their time - we're really looking forward to featuring this unique and helpful program!

Let me close by wishing all of you a happy and healthy new year - may 2003 be wonderful for all of you!

Heidi for FictionAlley Mods