heidi | Now, I get to plug and squee

On Tuesday night, I got an email from a woman at WB that I'd been in touch with over the past few months, letting us know that WB would be happy to supply prizes for a contest hosted on FA (FYI - TLC is having a contest, too, and I know of at least one other fansite that'll be launching one shortly (or may have, already - but I haven't come up for air for about three hours now!)).

Thanks to amazing work from

ari_o and

smilie117 (and, of course, the LJ-less Paul, God of all Things Tech on FA) (so yes, it was a pretty capricorn-centric project as

tromboneborges also beta read the submission page)) we managed to put the contest together in the past 30 hours, and we're thrilled to invite all of you to submit an entry (one per person!).

You can find out more at http://www.fictionalley.org/contest/ (and yes, feel free to plug it) - and

For ten years, Harry Potter spent much of his time in a cupboard under the stairs, at the house of his cruel aunt and uncle. After his letter from Hogwarts arrived, he was freed to explore a world of magic and wonder - and to join a fascinating community of witches and wizards.

Through the Harry Potter books and movies, people from around the world have become part of the fandom, whether as lurkers who read and occasionally review stories, artists whose creativity is inspirational, and storytellers, essayists, commentators and observers. We have become a thriving, vibrant, worldwide community.

Everyone who sees Prisoner of Azkaban will be seeing it as part of that community - whether you attend a line party, or see the film in New York City on June 5 with hundreds of other fans, or whether you see it with family and "real-world" friends and later discuss it online, the community belongs to you.

And FictionAlley wants to know your thoughts about this community! Our HARRY POTTER & THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN COMMUNITY CHALLENGE gives you an opportunity to creatively express your perspective on seeing Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban as a member of this Harry Potter fandom.

There will be one first prize winner in each of four categories: ages 13-15, ages 16-19, ages 19-22 and ages 23 and over. There will also be one second prize winner in each of those four categories; age will be determined by the age of the entrant on June 15, 2004. There will be one grand prize winner chosen from among all entries; the grand prize winner will win the Trelawney Tea Set. Each first prize winner will win a Time- Turner. Each second prize winner will win a HARRY POTTER #7 hat and shirt. Additional prizes, including house badges, wizarding hats, sets of temporary tattoos, and magnets, will be awarded to entries that are randomly selected from the total pool of all eligiable entries by a representative of FictionAlley, whose selections are final and binding in all respects.

Check out the contest, and please enter! We're looking forward to seeing the art and writing submissions from all of you!

Heidi for FictionAlley