~*~ The 2022 Favorites of FanFic Festival ~*~ Thanks for a great Festival! We welcome your feedback!

His hands full, Nico wanders through the backstage area until he finds Mara and Luke on a couch in an out of the way corner. “There you are,” he says. He hands his brother-in-law a steaming mug, then lifts one of the two glasses from his other hand and gives it to Mara, then plops down beside her and sips his own sangria.

“Nice fan carry,” Mara tells him approvingly. “Where’d you learn that?”

“Part time serving job as a teenager,” Nico replies. “How’s he doing?”

“Well,” Mara says with a shrug, “the whole ‘multitude of dark mes and also my father is apparently a cat’ realities are a bit much still, but the hot chocolate can only help.”

“Are these toasted marshmallows?” Luke asks, sniffing his mug appreciatively.

“Brûléed, I’m told,” Nico says, then leans over to whisper to Mara. “You would not believe what’s happening at the hot chocolate bar.”

Before Mara can do more than raise an eyebrow, Ronan and Nadira walk up. “Has anyone seen Corissa?” Ronan asks.

“Last I saw, she was making friends with—” Nico glances sideways at Luke “—cat!Vader.”

Luke winces a little, but sips his hot chocolate silently.

“Honestly, cat!Vader is just lovely,” Nadira insists. “We had such a nice chat back in week two.”

Mara shakes her head. “This whole multiverse festival thing is weird. …is that a Trandoshan biting butterfly? How did that get in here?”

“I’ll get it,” Ronan offers. “Classic dad duty. Does anyone have an empty cup I can catch it in?”

Everyone shakes their heads. “There must be some where the drinks are being served, dear,” Nadira suggests.

“Good idea,” Ronan agrees, and heads that way.

“In the meantime,” Nadira continues, “we really should find Gabri. She hasn’t submitted her nominations yet this week.”

“No need,” Nico says, and pulls Gabri’s phone out of his pocket. “Anyway, I think she’s still sulking because Vi got to use a gif and she didn’t.”

“Oh, dear,” Nadira sighs. “Well, I’ll go read this week’s list, then. If she wanders past, someone talk some sense into her. And keep an eye on that butterfly until your father gets back.”



Story You Just Can't Stop Thinking About

Let Every Little Fracture Shatter by @Mira_Jade
Luke, the Broken AU by @vader_incarnate


Unclassifiable Classic

Rocks and Hard Places by @Thumper09
Skyclawer by @vader_incarnate


Head-Canon Accepted!

We Make Our Own Luck by @ViariSkywalker (I will go down with the Tahiri/Ulin ‘ship)
Disaster Lineage Cheese Shenanigans by @vader_incarnate (Lightsaber grilled cheeses is absolutely a Jedi tradition; this is the way)
[Sense and Sensibility] Keep Thy Armor Bright by @Mira_Jade (Margaret Dashwood 100% marries a merchant captain and travels the world and Austen herself can’t tell me different)


Favorite Title

Rocks and Hard Places by @Thumper09
Beneath the Gods of the Bright Sky by @ViariSkywalker


Favorite Line in a Fic

"You're not a bad kisser, Farmboy. But it's reductively sexist to assume I'm going to follow you to the dark side for want of a good kiss, and frankly, I'm disappointed in you." —Mara Jade in Black Pawn by @vader_incarnate

He ignited the first and then the second blade, and he opened his eyes to see -

- gold. Like twin beams of liquid sun, the blades were a blinding, xanthous shade of gold. —Let Every Little Fracture Shatter by @Mira_Jade -


Favorite Headsplode Moment

Black Knight by @vader_incarnate

Spoiler

the plot twist at the end. You can’t miss it. Go read, shoo

Skyclawer by @vader_incarnate

Spoiler

the whole premise, I mean, come on

Favorite Action Scene

Tionne vs an Imperial trooper in Interregnum II by @Bel505 and DrMcKay (it’s a very short action scene, but it’s epic)
Luke Skywalker vs Mara Jade in Black Pawn by @vader_incarnate


Favorite “Finally” Moment

Enter the Foreign by @ViariSkywalker

Spoiler

Spoiler: seriously, you should read the story with this spoiler intact

When Ben and Anakin defeat Jacen

Crushed That Challenge

Rocks and Hard Places by @Thumper09
Mourning by @vader_incarnate
[Sense and Sensibility] Love Betters What Is Best by @Mira_Jade

 

“You guys really don’t have gifs in your galaxy?” Vi watches as Festus scrolls through her phone. “Like, at all?”

“No,” Ferrus interjects when it becomes apparent that his brother is too engrossed in the phone to answer. “Believe me, he spends enough time on the HoloNet; if we had stuff like this, he’d know about it.”

“Ha!” Festus jumps up and shoves the phone in Vi’s face. “Look at this one!”

Vi looks down at the phone to see a gif of HK-47 gleefully electrocuting an HK-50 unit. “There really aren’t enough HK-47 gifs,” she sighs.

Ferrus walks away, muttering something that sounds a lot like, “The hell there aren’t.”

Vi starts to take the phone from Festus’s hand. “Hey, I need that to present my nominations.”

“In a minute, I want to look for Darth Maul gifs…”

Vi yanks the phone away and raises an eyebrow at his betrayed expression. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, so just chill, okay? Unless you want to read these?”

He flops dramatically onto the couch in response, propping one leg over the arm. At the other end of the couch, canon!Obi-Wan glances at the Sith Lord before looking up at Vi and mouthing, Darth Maul gifs?

Vi smirks. “I’ll show you later.” She heads for the stage, scrolling through her list of nominations…


Story You Just Can’t Stop Thinking About
Let Every Little Fracture Shatter by @Mira_Jade
Mourning by @vader_incarnate

Unclassifiable Classic
An Epic in Twelve Parts by @Mira_Jade
In the Flames by @Raissa Baiard
[Sense & Sensibility] ‘Ode to a Brook’ and Other Selections by @Mira_Jade

Head-Canon Accepted!
From Such Infinite Space by @Mira_Jade (The portrayal of Ossus in Mira’s Song!verse)
Fractured by @Gabri_Jade (Is there any question of where Mara gets her badassery from? The answer is her dad, Ronan Jade)
[Sense & Sensibility] Cry Havoc and Let Slip by @Mira_Jade (Every detail of Colonel Brandon and Sir John Middleton’s time in India)

Favorite Title
Enantiodromia by @arkham618
From Such Infinite Space by @Mira_Jade
[The Phantom of the Opera] My Spirit Longs With Thee to Rest by @Mira_Jade

Favorite Line in a Fic

Mourning by @vader_incarnate

Vader had no one left with whom to share his grief, and knew of no other way to lighten it, so he mourned in the only way he could: by meting out the raw pain from the chasm in his soul, the one that should have been full with a wife and a child, the one that was instead a black hole that could never be sated but that always demanded more and more and more as he ripped open the wounds in his psyche again and again and again until he hemorrhaged pain in unending perpetuity.​

Restoration by @Gabri_Jade

for dreams are wished-for things, and she never
had missed, or asked, desired—never knew
the prison walls around her, solid, high
unseen but binding and insidious,
and she had never noticed, never looked
beyond, or wondered over what could have
been—should have been—hers​

[Sense & Sensiblity] ‘Ode to a Brook’ and Other Selections by @Mira_Jade

You wear your courtesy like armor
And I, like a vine, am
rooting through stone for skin
searching, slowly,
to welcome myself in​

Favorite Headsplode Moment
Black Knight by @vader_incarnate

Spoiler

Seriously, don’t read this if you don’t want to be spoiled

Spoiler

When Mara realized who had killed the other clones, and basically everything after that

[Sense & Sensibility] We Few, We Happy Few by @Mira_Jade

Spoiler

I definitely wasn’t expecting Brandon’s nightmare!

Favorite Action Scene
Black Pawn by @vader_incarnate (the entirety of Luke vs Mara *chef’s kiss*)
Black Knight by @vader_incarnate (Luke vs Mara, take two!)

Favorite “Finally” Moment
Let Every Little Fracture Shatter by @Mira_Jade

Spoiler

For real guys, go read the story if you haven’t already done so

Spoiler

The moment when Maul/Zaed ignites his new lightsaber!

[Sense & Sensibility] We Few, We Happy Few by @Mira_Jade

Spoiler

Marianne talking sense into Brandon, and their kiss in the rain

Crushed That Challenge
Fragments of Jade by @Gabri_Jade (for the 2022 Kessel Run challenge)
The Courage of Stars by @Mira_Jade (for the 2022 Kessel Run challenge)
[Sense & Sensibility] Love Betters What is Best by @Mira_Jade (for the 2022 Kessel Run challenge)
[Stranger Things] Take One Moment Into My Hands by @amidalachick (for the 2022 Kessel Run challenge)

 

"There you are!" Omega shouts when Chyntuck returns to the festival with Chyntuquita and her cousin (thankfully the rest of the tribe decided to go to the beach, and Mr Chyn had to go to the office even though it's Sunday). "You're never going to believe this! They have a hot chocolate bar here!"

Chyntuquita and her cousin let out squeals of delight. "Can we go, Mama?"

Chyn gives them an indulgent smile. "Of course we can!"

Omega grabs Chyntuquita's hand. "Let's go, let's go! There's this very nice lady there who said she'd save some hot chocolate bombs for us."

"Oooooh, look!" Chyntuquita's cousin says, pointing at what appears to be a tumbling ball of fluffy tulle topped by red-gold hair. "I had a dress like that when I was smaller."

"Her name is Smolmara," Omega explains. "Weird, uh? But that's what everyone calls her. And the dress is nice."

As they make their way towards the hot chocolate bar, Chyn begins to think that this may not be such a good idea. There are a dozen Luke Skywalkers sitting there, all of them dark and creepy, all of them flickering in and out of existence, and all of them holding ignited lightsabers over their mugs, which definitely comes across as a strange thing to do. What is more, Mace Windu is there too with lightsaber in hand, and he is giving the Lukes his trademark stern look and explaining patiently that lightsabers can be used for grilled cheese but not to brûlé marshmallows. She is about to pull back her progeny when the girls break into a run and leave her there.

"Oh dear," she whispers. As she stands there she realises that the food court is evolving before her very eyes – and somehow every single change seems to involve a lightsaber. There's a sizzling pork stand, and a döner kebab stand, and an all-you-can-eat buffet for cold cuts, and...

She feels something prodding her hip and looks down to see a small, wrinkled green being. "Master Yoda, thank goodness! You need to get this under control, it's –"

"Worry not, you should," Yoda says. "Many uses, a lightsaber has. If over there you look, a swamp stew stand you will see."

Chyn glances in the direction he is showing, where a small army of Yodas is stirring pots. "You know, Master, somehow I feel that people are less interested in lightsabers when they're used as spoons."

Yoda huffs. "A point you have. Still, it matters not. Perhaps relax you should, and read your nominations?"

Chyn blushes. "I don't have any. It was a busy week, I didn't have time to prepare them. I just came here to cheer on everybody else." She glances at the crowd around the chocolate bar, where Chyntuquita is chatting excitedly with a Luke who is wearing... heart-shaped sunglasses? "Oh dear oh dear. I have such a bad feeling about this, it's in a different league altogether."

Her companion follows her gaze. "Quite. Fetch her back for you, I will."

With a sinking feeling, Chyn watches him ignite his lightsaber and hobble away.

(edited with apologies to @ViariSkywalker)

 

Luke the Black King walks carefully away from the hot chocolate bar, gingerly balancing a cup of hot chocolate piled so high with whipped cream and marshmallows that the pile is higher than the mug itself is tall. He looks inordinately pleased with himself, and glances back at the small green Jedi Master still lecturing the multitudes of his flickering doubles while gesturing vigorously with his small green lightsaber. Some dark!Lukes are visibly hanging their heads in shame.

“Stars, but I missed him,” he murmurs fondly. "I wonder if he'll run into Grogu at this festival, though. I'm sure we all have a lot of questions about the nature of their relationship."

Elli is standing nearby, enjoying the show - but also visibly fretting, wringing her hands. She’s wearing an N-95 mask.

Luke raises an eyebrow. It’s hard to tell he raised an eyebrow, because his comically oversized heart-shaped sunglasses obscure most of his forehead, but you can catch a glimpse of the brow peeking over the rim. “What’s with the mask?”

The writer waves a dismissive hand. “Just tested positive for covid. It's my excuse for being late this week. Thought I’d incorporate a mask into the skit even though I actually have no idea how germ transmission works in the GFFA. But there’s at least two murder cyborgs with breathing problems running around, and I just kinda feel like covid would wreck them, you know? And Vader already has a respirator.”

The raised eyebrow arches higher. “I understood about a third of those words, but sure.”

“Chyntuck sent her kids over there. I know that some of - well, some of the yous are okay with children, but where’s -”

He snorts. “Where’s the version of me you wrote that was driven insane by the sounds of canon typical child murder and has some serious psychological issues with children now? And that was severely kriffed up, by the way. The rest of us are tag-teaming him, keeping him away from the kids. We might be the bad guys, but most of us aren’t bad guys. We’re still minimally antiheroes, for the most part.”

Elli looks relieved. “So the Kyber Crowned Luke is elsewhere?”

Luke the Black King looks around. “Somewhere,” he agrees. “He got scared off by Maul’s shovel talk, so he’s also actively avoiding him. You had him being pretty awful to Mara in that story.” He takes a browned marshmallow from the top of his mug and again looking very satisfied with himself, starts eating it and licking at his mountain of whipped cream. “Do me a favor and nudge my sunglasses further up my nose, would you? They’re slipping, and this hot chocolate really needs two hands.”

The writer obliges, then briefly massages her temples. “And is it too much to ask if you know where cat!Vader got off to?”

The Black King doesn’t realize that he has a generous whipped cream mustache and continues as if he doesn’t. “Oh he’s looking for you, actually. He’s riding around on Artoo - trying to find you so he can convince you to write a shovel talk for him, too. Apparently he’s just learned that there’s an insolent pirate who occasionally has procreative intercourse with his daughter, and he’s offended you haven’t allowed him to express his feelings on the matter yet.”

“Leia would never forgive him if he murdered Han.”

Luke gives her a look. “Do you really think he doesn’t know how to get rid of a body?” He perks up, looking across the room. “Oh look there he is now -”

Elli runs.


Story You Just Can’t Stop Thinking About
Broken by @Gabri_Jade
Let Every Fracture Shatter by @Mira_Jade

Unclassifiable Classic
An Epic in Twelve Parts by @Mira_Jade
Between the Moon and the Stars by @ViariSkywalker

Head-Canon Accepted!
The Ballet by @Gabri_Jade (Borsk Fey'lya is a lover of the arts, it is so)
Fractured by @Gabri_Jade (this is Mara Jade's biofamily, it just is)

Favorite Title
Enantiodromia by @arkham618 (<- I haven't even read the fic, but what a great title)
Beneath the Gods of the Bright Sky by @ViariSkywalker

Favorite Line in a Fic
[removed because I got years wrong, bbl]

Favorite Action Scene
Enter the Foreign by @ViariSkywalker (the climatic battle scene)
Enter the Foreign by @ViariSkywalker (the space battle in which Anakin Skywalker gets into an X-Wing)

Crushed That Challenge
There is Nothing Lost by @ViariSkywalker (2022 Kessel Run Challenge)
Broken by @Gabri_Jade (inaugural Angstmonger's Anonymous Challenge)

 

2022 Favorites of FanFic Festival
Week 5: Reviewer & Author
​

The audience quiets and moseys to the side as one to let a chrome-armored Mandalorian wearing a cape pass, and Kahara chatters about the wonders of space plants while strolling along at his side unaware.

Did you know that the Indigo-fringed syren plant of Kashyyyk is pollinated by netcasters who stash their prey in its flowers? Enzymes from the megaflora's digestive system help preserve and detoxify carcasses, and the nutrients the plant gains help it survive between the times when it captures its own prey. Aren't the interwoven cycles of life beautiful and glorious?

Din makes what could be a nod of acknowledgement or a "get me out of here" to the heavens and stoically trudges onward. Near the stage, @UltramassiveUbersue , @ViariSkywalker , and @amidalachick wave to the approaching Kahara and mouth the words "THE AWARDS" and "YOUR WEEK TO PRESENT".

Yeah, of course! I won't be but a minute!

Kahara ducks into the boxy cubicle emblazoned with "Darth Sartorius's Supernaturally Useful Changing Booths" and soon returns looking almost like she hadn't just been knee deep in greenery. She's wearing a dressy long sweater-top in electric blue and cobalt stripes, along with pale rose slacks and shiny blue boots. Her necklace has a delicate charm on it that resembles some alien form of dragonfly in shiny rose-pink. A couple of Felucian serpentvine leaves are stuck behind her ear. She climbs up to the stage and checks the audio.

Meanwhile, her fellow hosts have been talking to Din and eventually he nods and says, "Carbonite would have been easier. But your credits check out and she's the least trouble I've had this week." The other hosts send him on his way with many best wishes for his youngling, which he accepts with slightly baffled and suspicious grace.

Now watching from the stage open-mouthed, Kahara jumps up and down a bit at the podium.

Whoa, I think I just got bounty hunted? THAT'S SO COOL! I can hardly believe it; I'm such a fan! Everyone's going to be so jealous.

She looks around and finds that the Mandalorian has made a prudent retreat, sensing that the awards host might do something odd like ask for his autograph.

Alright, that was definitely one of the coolest things ever for me personally, but I'm here to present something even more wizard: this Festival's Reviewer and Author week! Now is your chance to recognize both the reviewers and the authors whose works you enjoyed throughout 2022. Not only that, but you also get to pick a story you wrote that was your personal favorite.

You may post up to two authors in each author category, four reviewers (Star Wars and/or NSWFF), and one story you wrote. If you prefer to submit your nominations anonymously, please send them via PM to @The Golden Yoda.

*If you are in a hurry, remember that the link for the story you wrote does not have to be fancily formatted -- the URL is just fine! For example, the plain URL link to this page would be: https://boards.theforce.net/threads...-week-1-style-length-february-12-18.50058800/

Week 5: Reviewer & Author

• Favorite Reviewers (choose up to 4)
• Favorite Author in Before
• Favorite Author in Saga
• Favorite Author in Beyond
• Favorite Author in NSWFF
• Favorite New Author
• Most Versatile Author
• Favorite Story YOU Wrote

​

 

Favorite Author in Beyond
@Bel505
Most Versatile Author
@Mechalich

 

Kithera sneaks through the back way, Del following behind and trying to hush the rest of the family.

"I don't know why we're bothering," Essie says, from behind them looking pensive. "We're late and I doubt they have anything left that's good to steal."

"We're here because we know them," Del says softly. "This is how we show them what they mean to us."

"By being late and taking their stuff?"

Kithera stops suddenly, causing the rest of the family to almost pile into the back of her.

"We're here," she says, turning on the spot. The younger scoundrels shrink back as they hear the quiet determination in her tone. "Because these people have supported us since before you were born." Her eyes flash dangerously and for a second Del can see the Jedi she once was. "Since before any of you were born. They've supported us, and even though we're not great at showing them how much they mean to us - we should, for once, at least try."

There's a long and pregnant pause as Kithera makes eye-contact with each of her children until they duck their heads and scuff their feet.

Glancing around Del gives Kithera a bemused look before taking her hand in his and leading the leather clad thief up the stairs.

"Come on Rin, otherwise we'll miss it entirely."


Favorite Reviewers:
@Findswoman
@Kahara
@Thumper09
@earlybird-obi-wan

Favorite Author in Before:
@earlybird-obi-wan

Favorite Author in Saga:
@Cowgirl Jedi 1701
@Kahara

Favorite Author in Beyond:
@ViariSkywalker

Most Versatile Author:
@Findswoman
@Thumper09

 

Hey Kaagi, you should see this.
What's on the holo Aaqu?
Stories about us and about the past.
Yeah, yeah. We should ask Tarhin Engaron about the past. He has met Gios.
And we have seen the rise of the empire, Skywalker defeating Sidious and Jacen Solo turning back to the light.
Skywalkers, always having some influence. You have seen what Cade Skywalker did.
BEEP PIE
My pager.
We have an emergency Aaqu.
And no speeding allowed.

Favorite Reviewers:
@Findswoman
@WarmNyota_SweetAyesha
@amidalachick
@Vek Talis

Favorite Author in Before:
@Vek Talis
@JediMaster_Jen

Favorite Author in Saga:
@Thumper09
@Findswoman

Favorite Author in Beyond:
@ViariSkywalker
@Mechalich

Most Versatile Author:
@Thumper09

Favorite Author in NSWFF:
@amidalachick
@pronker

Favorite Story You Wrote:
Tetrahedron

 

I don't have anything fun or clever to add, but I do want to say a big thank you to:

@Kahara, @UltramassiveUbersue, and @ViariSkywalker for being the best hostesses and volunteer team
@Raissa Baiard for her lovely artwork
@devilinthedetails, @Findswoman, and @Mira_Jade for being the awesomest mods

And finally, thank you to everyone who's nominated my stories this year. This has always been such an awesome, supportive community and we are all lucky to have so many talented authors and fantastic stories to read and celebrate!

Favorite Reviewers
@earlybird-obi-wan
@Mira_Jade
@pronker
@UltramassiveUbersue

Favorite Author in Before
@earlybird-obi-wan
@Kit'

Favorite Author in Saga
@Hopefulwriter
@Raissa Baiard

Favorite Author in Beyond
@Gabri_Jade
@ViariSkywalker

Favorite Author in NSWFF
@brodiew
@pronker

Most Versatile Author
@devilinthedetails
@Mira_Jade

Favorite Story YOU Wrote
Week 8 of Through These Tangled Threads of Light. I haven't made a secret of the fact that I've struggled with my writing these past few years. This particular set of drabbles was something that I had fun writing, and I actually felt okay about how it turned out. It's a small step but I'm proud of it.

 

“I am not sulking,” Gabri insists as she follows Ronan to rejoin the rest of the family. “I’m just saying, even Festus is using gifs now—”

“It seems to me that there are more important things happening than gifs,” Ronan observes. “Were those Masters Yoda and Windu lecturing the dark Lukes?”

“Oh, yeah,” Gabri says. “Sometimes I forget that you and Nadira lived through the Clone Wars. Of course you’d know a bunch of prominent Jedi by sight.”

“Everyone knew Master Yoda and Master Windu by sight back then,” Ronan agrees. “I never heard about using lightsabers to make grilled cheeses, though.”

“It’s a secret Jedi tradition,” Gabri tells him, watching Artoo—an Artoo, anyway—roll by with cat!Vader sitting sedately yet threateningly on his dome. “Or hazing ritual. I don’t think even the Jedi are sure which, to be honest.”

Ronan shakes his head. “The things you learn at a fanfic festival. I’d also never heard of the syren plant of Kashyyyk. You?”

Gabri shakes her head. “I’m just here to write character studies and banter. I know my niche. But at least we know who to return the Trandoshan butterfly to.”

“By the way, who’s Cade Skywalker?”

“Oh, he’s Legends!canon Luke and Mara’s—” Gabri pauses. “Great-grandson? Or great-great-grandson? Honestly, I’m not sure that was ever pinned down. One of their descendants, anyway.” She pauses again. “Let’s not mention him to your Luke and Mara, okay? Cade was essentially a good guy, but he had some…issues, and Luke isn’t over cat!Vader yet.”

They round a corner. Up ahead of them, Luke, Mara, and Nico are sitting on a couch and gazing fixedly at a colorful butterfly perched on the couch arm nearest Nico. Mara glances over at them, and sighs in relief. “There you are,” she calls. “I was just wondering if I should take my lightsaber to an insect. Do you have that cup, Dad?”

“Hey,” Nico protests, still watching the butterfly. “I’m between you and the insect in question. No lightsabers.”

“Don’t get dramatic,” Mara tells him. “That’s Corissa’s job. I wouldn’t have hit you.”

“I’ve got it,” Ronan assures them, and carefully lowers the empty cup on top of the butterfly. “Who has some flimsi to slide under the cup?”

“I do, dear,” Nadira says as she arrives on the scene. She fishes briefly in her pocket and comes up with last week’s grocery list. “Don’t need this any more. Oh, there you are, Gabri. Are you ready to read your week five nominations?”

“Hey, now,” Gabri protests. “I told you all back in week one that I don’t do crowds.”

“Well, I’m not doing it,” Nico declares. “I don’t do crowds either, and I still took a turn. Get Corissa, she loves an audience.”

Gabri waves a hand vaguely. “She cornered Din Djarin before he could make his escape. She was squeeing over Grogu last I saw.”

“Well, I just read last week’s,” Nadira says.

“And I read week one,” Mara adds.

“I haven’t finished my hot chocolate,” Luke points out.

Everyone looks at Ronan. He looks back at them. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m on dad duty with a bug here.”

Nico stands and carefully takes the cup and flimsi from him. “I’ll do it. I’d rather be bitten by a butterfly than go stand in front of a crowd again.”

Ronan sighs, then takes the phone from Nadira and begins scrolling. “Fine. Where’s this week’s—ah, there it is. I’ll be right back, I guess.”

“Remember to use a gif!” Gabri calls after him, and everyone sighs.


Favorite Reviewers

@ViariSkywalker
@Mira_Jade
@vader_incarnate
@Bel505

—All four are wonderfully enthusiastic and insightful reviewers whose comments are always deeply rewarding and a delight to receive


Favorite Author in Saga

@vader_incarnate
@Mira_Jade


Favorite Author in Beyond

@ViariSkywalker
@Bel505


Favorite Author in NSWFF

@Mira_Jade


Most Versatile Author

@ViariSkywalker
@Mira_Jade


Favorite Story YOU Wrote

Reclamation —The idea I got fifteen years ago, never forgot, and am finally writing - and which pulled me back to fanfic after years away, and which is therefore indirectly responsible for everything I’ve written since. Now I just have to finish it




Ronan returns backstage, and Gabri’s eyes suddenly widen. “I forgot to thank and congratulate everyone!”

“I’m on it,” Ronan assures her, and scrolls some more on her phone:








Gabri beams at him as she takes her phone back. “You’re my favorite character now. Don’t tell the others.”

 

Chyntuck suddenly has an idea, one so simple and obvious that she wonders how she could not think of it earlier. She pulls her notepad out of her bag and scribbles a story about a stand for oriental sweets. When she looks up, the stand has materialised right there, and it's everything she has imagined. Vats of warm rice pudding waiting to be sprinkled with cinnamon. Mountains of butter and almond biscuits coated with powdered sugar. Racks and racks of crispy baklava dripping with syrup. But, hmmm... something is missing.

Oh, right. The stand shouldn't only be attractive, it should be well-defended. She scribbles a few more lines, and now it's manned by a dour-looking Quinlan Vos and a small legion of Kiffu Guardians. She smiles. Excellent.

She walks up to the creepy Luke who is talking with her little girls and taps him on the shoulder. "As a writer, I am willing you out of existence for the next few minutes," she whispers in his ear.

The Luke obligingly vanishes, and the girls are disappointed. "I don't understand why that happens," Omega says. "You think they're real and start talking with them, and then –"

"Something about fanfic writers' imagination, dear," Chyn explains. "You'll understand it someday. Now why don't you have a look over there?"

The girls glance despondently at the oriental sweets stand, and Chyntuquita and her cousin let out squeals of delight. "Do they have rose water pudding, Mama?" Chyntuquita asks.

"They have everything you want, darling," Chyn says. "I created it."

Chyntuquita grabs Omega's hand. "Let's go! Did you ever have rose water pudding? It's the best thing in the world. Especially with crushed pistachios on top."

And they slip between the Kiffu Guardians, who reform their ranks as soon as the girls are inside.

Confident that her spawn are in good hands, Chyntuck flips to the last page of her notepad and reads out her final nominations.

Favourite Reviewers: @Mira_Jade & @Findswoman
Favourite Author in Before: @Kit'
Favourite Authors in Saga: @Thumper09 & @Seldes_Katne
Favourite Authors in Beyond: @Bel505 & @Gabri_Jade
Favourite Authors in NSWFF: @Mira_Jade & @pronker
Favourite New Author: @UltramassiveUbersue
Most Versatile Author: @Seldes_Katne

She steps aside for a young man carrying an upturned teacup (the weird things characters do sometimes) and continues: "Oh, and thanks to everyone who participated in the festival this year, thanks to @amidalachick @Kahara @ViariSkywalker @UltramassiveUbersue for hosting it, thanks to @Raissa Baiard for the art, thanks to @devilinthedetails @Findswoman and @Mira_Jade for being the mostest awesomest mods, and MOST IMPORTANTLY thank you to all the authors who have been and are still posting fics on the JCF. I love you all!"

She starts moving towards the oriental sweets stand – that rice pudding smelled really good, and she's hungry after writing so much about food – then remembers something and stops. "Hey, creepy Luke?" she calls into the void. "I'm done here. You can come back now!"

 

2022 Favorites of FanFic Festival
Week 6: Make-Ups
​

While the audience mingles, enjoying all the cake, hot chocolate, and other goodies on offer, amidalachick is talking to none other than Senator Padmé Amidala. She's changed into a denim miniskirt and vintage "Born In The USA" T-shirt, and she's gesturing wildly as she talks.

"- and just look at your canon!husband! You agree, right? Everybody deserves a second chance and a shot at redemption."

"I don't think that's the kind of 'make-up' this week is talking about, though," Padmé says as tactfully as she can.

"Well, yeah, but you're such a good speaker, I was hoping you could come up with a fancy speech that ties it all together...somehow..." amidalachick smiles hopefully.

Padmé gestures towards where Leia's talking to Breha and Beru. "I'm sorry, my daughter's calling. It's been a lovely festival!"

"Could I at least borrow one of your dresses?" amidalachick calls. Padmé diplomatically pretends not to hear, and she shrugs. "Oh well, it was worth a try."

She goes back to the podium and takes a piece of paper from her pocket.

Hello again, everyone! We've made it to the final week of our festival, and it's been amazing! Let's have a big round of applause for my fellow hosts and all-around awesome volunteers @Kahara, @ViariSkywalker, and @UltramassiveUbersue; our talented Festival artist @Raissa Baiard; and our lovely mods @Mira_Jade, @Findswoman, and @devilinthedetails!

And another big round of applause for all of you - authors, readers, everyone who's nominated your favorite stories and made this Festival and the fanfic forum such a special place!

Now, on with the festivities! She consults her paper. "Well there's another dance, all you gotta do is say yes, and if you're rough and ready for love" - oh wait, wrong paper. She flips it over. Here we go.

Welcome to Week 6, Make-Ups! We all know life happens, so if you missed nominating your favorite story or author during earlier weeks, feel free to do so now. This includes any categories that you didn't use all the possible nomination spots for -- for example, if you didn't nominate any NSWFF stories for a category when you posted originally, you can nominate up to 2 stories for those spots this week.

Keep on rocking!

​

*Lyrics borrowed from "Tougher Than The Rest" by Bruce Springsteen, and credit to @Kahara for the wording in the 'This includes any categories that you didn't use -' section.

 

Vi returns from the stage to find the Chaos Twins sitting together on her sofa, arms crossed and staring up at her with nearly identical expressions of almost petulant disappointment.

“What’s up?” she says with a shrug.

Ferrus exchanges a glance with his brother before clearing his throat. “If you needed a bounty hunter, why didn’t you ask us?”

Vi bites her lip and winces. “I mean, we wanted Kahara brought in alive, so…”

“Hey, we don’t kill anyone who isn’t wanted dead, and you know it!”

Festus is conspicuously silent next to his brother, and Vi turns away from Ferrus to raise an eyebrow at him. “You got something to add, stabby?”

Festus shrugs. “It is more fun when they’re wanted dead…”

Ferrus rounds on him. “You were supposed to be on my side with this—”

“I am—”

“You just don’t want to get up because the princess is here—”

“Don’t be ridiculous—”

Vi sighs and makes a shooing motion at the twins. “Scoot over so I can sit.” They spread apart to make space, and their argument ceases. Vi plops down on the sofa and massages her temples. After a moment of silence, Festus leans in conspiratorially.

“You know,” he says, “it’s not too late for us to hijack this thing.”

Vi lowers her hands and glances over at him. “You think you’d make it far, with multiple versions of multiple Jedi and Sith running around the place, plus a bunch of writers who can handwave random shavit into existence?”

“I bet you could make it believable.”

“As much as I’d love to accept that challenge, I think we’re gonna let them have their fun. Besides, I’m a host; I can’t just let my OCs take over the festival.”

Ferrus groans and lets his head flop back against the cushions. “This is so boring. You won’t let us talk to anyone or do anything.”

Vi studies him thoughtfully. “We need to find you a horse.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“Well anyway, it’s nearly over. Just have to read this last set of nominations and say some thank yous, and then we’re almost done.”

Festus holds out his hand toward Vi’s phone. “I can read those for you this time.”

Vi eyes him skeptically. “Nice try, but I know how your mind works.” She stands up, taking her phone with her, but after taking a step, she turns back toward Festus with a knowing smile. “And there are better ways of getting Allana’s attention than hijacking the fanfic festival.”

Festus tilts his head to one side, mirroring her smile. “But probably not faster ways.”

Vi chuckles and waves at him over her shoulder as she heads for the stage. “Maybe next year…”



Favorite Reviewers
@vader_incarnate – Elli’s reviews are enthusiastic and hilarious and full of awesome insights and unique meta, and it’s always a treat to read her reactions.
@Pandora – Pandora leaves such deeply insightful and thoughtful reviews; receiving one is like opening a present, and they leave me feeling ridiculously accomplished.
@Mira_Jade – Mira’s reviews are so incredibly in-depth and chock full of her infectious enthusiasm and her deep love for the characters and the story; it’s truly rewarding to receive her feedback.
@Gabri_Jade – Gabri is so good at picking up on the nuances of characterization and storytelling in a fic, and it’s always a pleasure to read her spot-on insights and commentary. Gabri’s reviews always make me feel like I actually know what I’m doing.

Favorite Author in Saga
@Gabri_Jade
@Mira_Jade

Favorite Author in Beyond
@vader_incarnate
@Gabri_Jade

Favorite Author in NSWFF
@Mira_Jade
@amidalachick

Most Versatile Author
@Gabri_Jade
@vader_incarnate

Favorite Story YOU Wrote
Once again, picking my favorite story from the past year is about as impossible as choosing between my kids, but I think it’s only right that I choose Enter the Foreign. Not only is it the genesis of my entire Enter!verse, it’s also a story that has been near and dear to my heart for close to fifteen years, and finishing it in 2022 was such a huge accomplishment for me. I’m very proud of the story as a whole, and I’m thankful for how it helped me to become a better writer and spurred me to explore an entire world of stories I otherwise wouldn’t have written.



Vi smiles out at the audience. Normally she would be nervous as hell in front of all these people – and she still is, kind of – but she sees the faces of her friends and fellow fanfic writers and beloved characters out there, and she thinks this really isn't so bad.

“And finally, I'd like to say thank you to my fellow hostesses, @amidalachick, @Kahara, and @UltramassiveUbersue, for putting on this awesome festival; to @Raissa Baiard for her lovely artwork; to our excellent and hardworking mod team, @Mira_Jade, @devilinthedetails, and @Findswoman; and thank you to everyone who honored me by nominating me or my stories for any of the categories. I appreciate it more than I can fully express. I had a lot of fun this year, and I hope you all did, too!”

 

"A life saved and now back to watching the show Kaagi?
Kaagi? Hey you know that sleeping in a changing cubicle isn't allowed but you do it all the time after a difficult procedure. Ah whatever. I will go and watch the show."
Aaqu Maerhin heads to the exit of the surgery-wing and towards the restaurant.
"Aaqu, nice to join us. You should relax and have a siraberry pie and a mujaa-juice."
"Ivano what are you doing here?"
"Watching that show on the holo. It's about the Jedi of the past and stories about them."
"And there is Tarhin. You can ask him about the past. He has been dealing with Stellan Gios, Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann."
"And who is that on the holo?"
"A writer giving thanks to, a whatever just listen to her:
Thanks to @amidalachick @Kahara @ViariSkywalker @UltramassiveUbersue for hosting it, thanks to @Raissa Baiard for the art, thanks to @devilinthedetails @Findswoman and @Mira_Jade for being the mostest awesomest mods, and MOST IMPORTANTLY thank you to all the authors who have been and are still posting fics on the JCF.

 

Week 6: Make-Ups!

Week 1: Style & Length

Favorite One-shot
Hope Has a Place by @Nehru_Amidala
Daybreak by @ViariSkywalker

Favorite Part of a Series
As the Force Wills, from Fragments of Jade by @Gabri_Jade
Black Knight by @vader_incarnate

Favorite WIP
Beneath the Gods of the Bright Sky by @ViariSkywalker

Favorite Short Story
Detours by @Thumper09


Week 3: Genre and Canonicity

Favorite Humor
A Little Help, Here? by @vader_incarnate
Shup It! by @Raissa Baiard

Favorite Angst
Memory and Smoking Ash by @devilinthedetails

Favorite Fluff
Found You by @ViariSkywalker
Love in the Naboo Lake Country by @devilinthedetails

Favorite Alternate Universe
Sacrifice by @ViariSkywalker
Reclamation by @Gabri_Jade


Week 4: Fun Categories That Don’t Have A Catchy Group Name

Head-Canon Accepted
Fractured by @Gabri_Jade (this is definitely Mara’s bio-family. No question about it!)

Favorite Title
Memory and Smoking Ash by @devilinthedetails
The Steel in Our Hearts Will Be Monuments by @ViariSkywalker

Crushed That Challenge
The Secret of the Water Gardens by @Findswoman
Pull Me Home by @Gabri_Jade


Week 5: Reviewer & Author

Favorite Reviewers
@Findswoman
@earlybird-obi-wan
@Mira_Jade

Favorite Author in Before
@Vek Talis
@earlybird-obi-wan

Favorite Author in Saga
@Mira_Jade
@Findswoman

Favorite Author in Beyond
@ViariSkywalker
@Gabri_Jade

Favorite Author in NSWFF
@amidalachick
@pronker

Favorite New Author
@SirCarrot
(Would love to see your story finished and many more!)

Most Versatile Author
@devilinthedetails
@Thumper09


I also want to say a huge thank you to @amidalachick, @Kahara, @ViariSkywalker and @UltramassiveUbersue for hosting this gig! You are all awesome! Also, big thanks to @Raissa Baiard for the wonderful artwork. Your creativity knows no bounds!

To everyone who had their story/stories nominated or were nominated as an author or reviewer-CONGRATS!! You are all supremely talented and this place would not be the same without you!!

Last, but by no means least, our Mods! @devilinthedetails, @Findswoman, @Mira_Jade Thank you so much for all the hard work you do and for your own amazing contributions to fanfic!

 

Massive catch-up here, sorry.

Week 6: Make-Ups

Week 3: Genre & Canonicity

Favorite Humor
"Finding Direction," To Every Thing There is a Season, by @Seldes_Katne
"HK-47 and the Power of Nonviolent Resistance," Rose's Eleven, by @Findswoman

Favorite Drama
Sinners Confession by @Mira Grau

Favorite Angst
The Archivist's Shadow by @Kit'
"Mistless," Rose's Eleven, by @Findswoman

Favorite Fluff
"Tea Time," The Shadow's Index, by @Kit'
Comfort Food by @Raissa Baiard

Favorite Action/Adventure
Out of the Shadows by @BaconHeadIthorian
Silver Squadron Standing By! by @Sgt.Matt

Favorite World-Building
To Every Thing There is a Season by @Seldes_Katne
Rescue on Ord Mantell by @earlybird-obi-wan

Favorite Alternate Universe
"Unreliable Allies," To Every Thing There is a Season, by @Seldes_Katne
"HK-47 and the Power of Nonviolent Resistance," Rose's Eleven, by @Findswoman


Week 4: Fun Categories That Don’t Have a Catchy Group Name

Head-Canon Accepted!
"'Cause I Don't," Rose's Eleven, by @Findswoman

Favorite Line in a Fic
"From what I was feeling through the Force at the beginning I was sure that I was going to have to be the first Master in the history of the Temple whose padawan had fallen to the darkside during the act of making tea." - Saelyra in "Tea Time," The Shadow's Index, by @Kit'


Week 5: Reviewer & Author

Favorite Reviewers
@earlybird-obi-wan
@Findswoman
@Gabri_Jade
@Kahara

Favorite Author in Before
@Kit'
@earlybird-obi-wan

Favorite Author in Saga
@BaconHeadIthorian
@Seldes_Katne

Most Versatile Author
@Seldes_Katne

--------------

There were lots of times throughout the festival when narrowing my choices down to just two submissions in a category was hard, and I've enjoyed every story I've read on these boards.

Many thanks to the hosts for putting this all together! I see from other people's posts that I have a bunch of good stories to catch up on. Congratulations to everyone!

Also, many thanks for the nominations of my own stories in the festival. It's very flattering and very much appreciated.

 

Hello again! Just a quick reminder that today is the last day to post your make-up nominations! You have until 11:59pm PST to either post those in this thread or send them via PM to @The Golden Yoda. Keep an eye on this thread for announcements pertaining to the forthcoming index and post-festival feedback. Thank you all for participating and making this year's festival a great experience!

 

Week 4: Fun Categories That Don’t Have a Catchy Group Name

Story You Just Can't Stop Thinking About –
Black Knight by @vader_incarnate
And They Danced by @Gabri_Jade
[The Phantom of the Opera] “My Spirit Longs With Thee to Rest” by @Mira_Jade
[L&O: OC] The Ghost of You by @Tarsier

Unclassifiable Classic –
"Star Wars: Revolution" by @cthugha
He is what? by @earlybird-obi-wan
"Cry Havoc and Let Slip" by @Mira_Jade
Anticipating 2 Milestones by @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

Head-Canon Accepted! –
Everything about Saleucami and its fantastic ladies' craft-making society in Now You're a Home by @Mira_Jade
-
For the backstory added to Qymaen/Grievous's early life, a topic that this author always manages to make fascinating! From And If He Shall Be Faithful by @rktho
-
The fantastic bits of expanded Dwarven lore in Two Were One by @devilinthedetails
-
The thorough and in-depth backstory of Pete and Nick as kids in [Top Gun] Fragmentary by @DaenaBenjen42

Favorite Title –
A World of Strange Wonders by @devilinthedetails
The Book of Boba's Cat by @gizkaspice
[A:TLA] A Black Cat at Autumn Festival by @devilinthedetails
[Penguins of Madagascar] Aries Parries Queries by @pronker

Favorite Line in a Fic –

- from The Ballad of Garazeb -- by Ezra Bridger by @Raissa Baiard

- from Fathom by @Thumper09

- from 10. Armor from Keepsake Bouquets by @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

-from Table Talk by @brodiew

Favorite Headsplode Moment –
Mononoke by @Nehru_Amidala

Spoiler

The moment near the beginning where we find out something very surprising about Leia.

The Rose between the Worlds by @Findswoman

Spoiler

When we find out what Lua brought back from the portal.

[L&O: OC] 2022 Drabble Challenge Response by @Tarsier

Spoiler

The part where Jet gets kidnapped... sort of.

[A:TLA] I Conquer Ba Sing Se and Other Earth Kingdom Adventures, by @devilinthedetails

Spoiler

When Azula begins her diary by threatening to burn it if it doesn't cooperate in whatever way diaries can! That's one way to deal with writer's block...[/url]

Week 4: Fun Categories That Don’t Have a Catchy Group Name

Story You Just Can't Stop Thinking About –
Black Knight by @vader_incarnate
And They Danced by @Gabri_Jade
[The Phantom of the Opera] “My Spirit Longs With Thee to Rest” by @Mira_Jade
[L&O: OC] The Ghost of You by @Tarsier

Unclassifiable Classic –
"Star Wars: Revolution" by @cthugha
He is what? by @earlybird-obi-wan
"Cry Havoc and Let Slip" by @Mira_Jade
Anticipating 2 Milestones by @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

Head-Canon Accepted! –
Everything about Saleucami and its fantastic ladies' craft-making society in Now You're a Home by @Mira_Jade
-
For the backstory added to Qymaen/Grievous's early life, a topic that this author always manages to make fascinating! From And If He Shall Be Faithful by @rktho
-
The fantastic bits of expanded Dwarven lore in Two Were One by @devilinthedetails
-
The thorough and in-depth backstory of Pete and Nick as kids in [Top Gun] Fragmentary by @DaenaBenjen42

Favorite Title –
A World of Strange Wonders by @devilinthedetails
The Book of Boba's Cat by @gizkaspice
[A:TLA] A Black Cat at Autumn Festival by @devilinthedetails
[Penguins of Madagascar] Aries Parries Queries by @pronker

Favorite Line in a Fic –

- from The Ballad of Garazeb -- by Ezra Bridger by @Raissa Baiard

- from Fathom by @Thumper09

- from 10. Armor from Keepsake Bouquets by @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

-from Table Talk by @brodiew

Favorite Headsplode Moment –
Mononoke by @Nehru_Amidala

Spoiler

The moment near the beginning where we find out something very surprising about Leia.

The Rose between the Worlds by @Findswoman

Spoiler

When we find out what Lua brought back from the portal.

[L&O: OC] 2022 Drabble Challenge Response by @Tarsier

Spoiler

The part where Jet gets kidnapped... sort of.

[A:TLA] I Conquer Ba Sing Se and Other Earth Kingdom Adventures, by @devilinthedetails

Spoiler

When Azula begins her diary by threatening to burn it if it doesn't cooperate in whatever way diaries can! That's one way to deal with writer's block...[/url]

 

Apologies for double-posting, but the rest of the nominations wouldn't show in the same post. Not sure what's going on with that unless it's just a limit on the number of links or something. Anyway, here are the rest of my make-ups for Week 4 and my Week 5 nominations too.

Favorite Action Scene –
Nicco and Veron's duel in The Briar and the Rose by @Kit'
-
The ending battle between several main characters and Zaralt in The Beast and the Beauty by @Mira Grau
-
The Penguins making a hasty and chaotic exit from their camping spot (nearly a campfire extinguishing fail, 'nough said) in Aries Parries Queries by @pronker

Favorite “Finally” Moment –
Pull Me Home by @Gabri_Jade

Spoiler

The resolution at the end for Luke and Mara.

-
Cargo Hauler by @Thumper09

Spoiler

Bodhi's decision at the end about whether to take the actions that lead into his role in the events of Rogue One. A sadder one, but a great, well-drawn Finally for sure.

-
[Stranger Things] 5 Times Billy Woke Up + 1 Time He Didn't by @amidalachick

Spoiler

The peaceful romantic ending, after what starts as a much more angsty series of moments.

-
[L&O: OC] The Ghost of You by @Tarsier

Spoiler

When we find out what happens to Malachi regarding the coma he's in due to a mysterious situation at the start.

Crushed That Challenge –
The Secret of the Water Gardens by @Findswoman - for the Something Borrowed, Something New Mod!Challenge
The Luckiest Man Alive by @UltramassiveUbersue - for Week 20 of the UDC X
Alright to Keep It Light Now by @amidalachick - for the OTP Challenge #25: Challenge of Challenges! as a noncompetitive entry
Halcyon Dawn by @WarmNyota_SweetAyesha - for the Uncle Iroh Quotes Mini-Challenge

Week 5: Reviewer & Author

Favorite Reviewers –
@Findswoman
@Mira_Jade
@pronker
@Raissa Baiard

Favorite Author in Before –
@Findswoman
@Kit'

Favorite Author in Saga –
@Pandora
@vader_incarnate

Favorite Author in Beyond –
@Mira Grau
@ViariSkywalker

Favorite Author in NSWFF –
@Mira_Jade
@devilinthedetails

Favorite New Author–
@SirCarrot

Most Versatile Author–
@Seldes_Katne
@AzureAngel2

Favorite Story YOU Wrote-

This was a tough one! I also had a great time writing the other short that I finished in 2022, but ultimately just couldn't not pick the Winter Fic-Gift that I wrote for Raissa -- it was such a fun project and I'm really happy with how it turned out. So yup, it's going to have to be The Tale of Canderous Ordo and How It Is Past Wren’s Bedtime.

 

​

ViariSkywalker takes the stage one last time, having changed back into her comfy Cloud City shirt once again. She is joined by her fellow hosts: amidalachick, Kahara, and UltramassiveUbersue…

Well, everyone, it’s time for us to bring the 2022 Favorites of FanFic Festival to a close. We want to say a great big thank you to all of you for attending this event and helping us celebrate our favorite stories, authors, and reviewers of 2022! We had another amazing year of fan fiction, and we’re looking forward to even better things to come in 2023!

As the Festival winds down, please feel free to continue socializing and/or wrangling the various incarnations of your beloved characters in this thread. We will be hard at work getting the final index completed so that you can enjoy reading through the many excellent stories nominated by our community.

Finally, we would also like to keep this thread open for feedback regarding the FoF Festival itself. If you have any comments, suggestions, or other feedback about the Festival (format, length, procedures, categories, social aspects, etc.), please feel free to share! You can post those comments here, or PM them to any of this year’s hosts: @amidalachick, @Kahara, @UltramassiveUbersue, @ViariSkywalker.

Once again, thank you for making this year’s Festival a fun one, and may the Force be with you!

The four hosts wave to the crowd and walk off stage as the red curtain closes.

​

 

The 2022 Favorites of FanFic Index is here!

Be sure to check out all of the amazing stories nominated by our excellent fan fiction community!