by Vanessa Brown

When you're a fan of a particular television show, movie or novel sometimes what the creators provide you with is never enough. As a fan you want to know what happens once the TV screen goes dark, you read "The End" in a series of novels you've been following, or worse still, the show you've been watching for years comes to an unexpected or unwanted end. Thankfully we can now turn to the internet and once again get involved in the lives of our favourite characters through such things as fan fiction (fanfic) and fan art.

Whether it's a much loved TV character, novel or even an Xbox hero or villain there's bound to be something online in your chosen fandom to satisfy your need to keep in touch with your character. From fiction stories that take what you see, or have seen, on TV in a totally new direction to incredible art montages that depict images of your favourite show, novel, movie or game etc. The supply of fan related work is endless.

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reported by Daniella Gutenberg, FictionFanatic.com

Acclaimed game creator James Wyatt continues his streak of big news for the month. Two weeks ago, Wizards of the Coast announced the upcoming release of the highly anticipated D&amp 4th Edition, for which Wyatt is a lead designer. Today, Wyatt’s novel "Storm Dragon" goes on sale, much to the delight of fans. Attendees at the Gen Con show in Indianapolis earlier this month lined up for first editions signed by the author.

The book marks the beginning of a new trilogy for publisher Wizards of the Coast. The company is particularly proud of the book–not just because the budding author comes from within its ranks–but also because it’s the first book in The Draconic Prophecies series for the EBERRON line.

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by Randy Ingermanson

What's the dirtiest word in a writer's lexicon? Think about that for a minute before you read on. What's the worst thing you can call a fellow writer?

Here's what many writers would say: "Unpublished."

I've met a ton of writers at writing conferences. To break the ice, I usually ask them what they're working on. They'll spend ten minutes telling me all about their novel. Then, if they've not sold a book yet, they'll hang their heads like they're admitting to being a drug dealer or a congress-critter and mutter, "But I'm (shudder) unpublished."

Let's just dump that word. I've got a better one. When I was in college, I knew a lot of students who were hoping to get into med school. Some of them eventually made it. Some didn't. But here's the thing: I never heard any of them saying they were "unmedical" students. They said they were "pre-med."

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by Sandra Haven

Words are plentiful--and free. Just look in the dictionary! So how does a writer take these bare essentials and create a real, honest-to-goodness, worth-the-time-to-read, or better yet, worth-an-acceptance-from-a-publisher story? Here are four simple--yet powerful--rules used to create a story. Let's go over the rules first, then discuss how they can work for you.

WHAT

1. First, a story needs to have a main character, usually a person (sometimes an animal or even a machine in some instances) whom readers care about. Readers need to feel some kinship or fascination with the character--enough to make them want to stick with the character to see what will happen to him or her.

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reported by Jordan Frantz, FictionFanatic.com

Fans have gotten together in Toronto, Canada in anticipation of the release of the final Harry Potter novel. Sixteen volunteers have created a Potter Party in Casa Loma (http://hp-casaloma.virgin-designs.net) for July 20th, which has many fans buzzing in excitement.

With Casa Loma being an actual castle built in the early 1900s, the location already gives the sense of a Canadian "wizard school." This was one of the main inspirations which triggered the event's organization.

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reported by Brian Scott, FictionFanatic.com

The Grey School of Wizardry has launched the 2007 Apprentice Wizard Essay Contest. The theme of this year's Contest is "Why I Want To Be A Wizard." The Contest is open to all aspiring Wizards between the ages of 11 and 17 years old (as of October 1, 2007). Contestants do not have to live in the United States of America; entries are welcome from all countries worldwide. The purpose of the Contest is to promote magickal scholarship in young people, and it is free to enter and submit an essay.

All Essays must be typed (not handwritten) in English, and be between 400 and 500 words long. Contest entries must be new, original, and unpublished essays. Essays will be judged on how well they fit the theme, how convincing they are, and the overall writing skill.

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reported by Jim Delaney, FictionFanatic.com

The swelling popularity of the fantasy fiction genre has fit right in with M.B. Weston’s aspiration to publish fantasy novels. Years of writing have culminated in the publication of this para-dimensional fantasy fiction book, entitled A Prophecy Forgotten, published in April 2007 through ArcheBooks Publishing (www.archebooks.com). A Prophecy Forgotten is the first in the Elysian Chronicles trilogy.

Weston has a heart for children, and though her original audience for A Prophecy Forgotten was the adult reader, she found that her book resonated with younger readers as well who were excited by the fantasy world she created with undertones of good versus evil. "I’ve written since I was small, and it has been very gratifying that I am able to reach the younger readers."

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reported by Dianne Newberry, FictionFanatic.com

On This Side of Heaven, a confessing novel about the church wins Atlanta author and speaker, Pamela Jackson, the prestigious Georgia Author of the Year Award for fiction first time novel. The award was announced June 2, 2007 at a banquet held at Kennesaw State University.

The Georgia Author of the Year Award (GAYA) is the oldest literary award in the Southeast and is sponsored by the Georgia Writer's Association. Created in 1964, the awards recognize the literary talents and accomplishments of the Peach State's authors and are given in conjunction with Kennesaw State University. Judged by published and award-winning authors from across the country, the works are judged on their distinctive voice, enduring value, imagination, ability to evoke emotion, and satisfactory resolution. Among past winners are former President Jimmy Carter, Ken Foskett, Emily Giffin and Bruce Feilder.

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reported by Jeremy Polin, FictionFanatic.com

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Universal Orlando Resort are partnering to create the world’s first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment based on the bestselling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. Envisioned as a "theme park within a theme park" and titled "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter," the new environment will become part of the experience within Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters – and faithful to the visual landscapes of the films – "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the magical world of Harry and his friends. The fully immersive, themed land will enable guests to visit some of the most iconic locations found in the books and the films including the village of Hogsmeade, the mysterious Forbidden Forest, and even Hogwarts castle itself.

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reported by Edward Wilson, FictionFanatic.com

Hola! Romance readers. Now you can try a little salsa with your romance fiction! MyRomanceStory.com, the premier online romance graphic novella site, is launching a Spanish section of its site in time for hot days and sultry nights. The new section is called Queridamia.com, and will feature novellas and lifestyle columns.

The totally illustrated romance stories in vibrant color have captivated millions of readers worldwide. "Spanish language adaptations have long been planned," says managing editor, Tom King. "We just thought this was the right time to release them."

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reported by Dianne Newberry, FictionFanatic.com

New Mexico Poetry Tangents, the state’s newest and fastest growing poetry organization, has released the next chapter in the ever growing evolution of the state’s unique and diverse poetry scene, including special selections from Jimmy Santiago Baca, Sandra Cisneros, Ana Castillo and several of the state’s premier writers under age eighteen.

Earthships: A New Mecca Poetry Collection is the first anthology to be published by Horse and Tiger Press, which is the publishing arm of NM Poetry Tangents.

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reported by Jeremy Polin, FictionFanatic.com

Alongside the rise of consumer generated media has been the blossoming of writer entrepreneurs who are better able to cultivate audiences with the wide reach of the internet and grow a business. Founder of Falbe Publishing, Tracy Falbe, considers herself to be a writer entrepreneur who is learning to capitalize on her individual desire, creativity, and technical savvy.

Among her many projects, Falbe’s Chico, California publishing company has just significantly increased the content at its website "Dragon Ride." As a publisher of websites, ebooks, and trade paperbacks, Falbe Publishing straddles both the print and digital mediums, and is currently in the process of enlarging its online presence through the development of websites on various topics meant to inform and entertain.

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