New in 2003 on FictionAlley

[heiditandy]

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/> 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>
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>
http://www.fictionalley.org//fictionalleypark/forums/forumdisplay.php?&f
orumid=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>
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&ite
m_name=FictionAlley+Membership+Subscription&item_number=010103&no_shippi
ng=1&return=http%3A//www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark&cancel_return
=http%3A//www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark&cn=User+Name+%28required
%29&tax=0cy_code=USD>
https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=SupportFA%40fictionalley.org&item
_name=FictionAlley+Membership+Subscription&item_number=010103&no_shippin
g=1&return=http%3A//www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark&cancel_return=
http%3A//www.fictionalley.org/fictionalleypark&cn=User+Name+%28required%
29&tax=0cy_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
<mailto:help at ...> help at ... 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/> 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> 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


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