One of the convention panels, "SGA as a Closed Canon", involved speculation about a possible rewatch community. During the con, I also had at least two people mention to me that they envy the vibrancy of the SGA fandom but haven't yet watched the show.

A new SGA series (re)watch community has just launched: sga-rewind . Discussion of the first episode will begin this Saturday; please see the comm for additional details.

I want to thank everyone who attended the "Being a Better Beta" workshop and particularly my co-panelists yourlibrarian and jlrpuck. In the session, we discussed many resources for beta research. I've started a resources collection post over at the LJ Writercon community. Please feel free to bookmark or tag that page -- and to submit your own favorite resources as well! (If you want to comment but don't want to use LJ, please email me at my badge name @livejournal.com -- I don't always notice comments here.)

Hello, all. I'm your coordinator for the Fan-Led Event "Informal Fic Swap/Workshop", scheduled for 4pm on the Sunday of the con. My idea for this event was that participants would submit works for mutual review/analysis/questions/whatever before the con, using Livejournal community wcon_fixchange. However, the convention itself is now only a week and a half away, and the community so far has ... let's see ... ::counts on fingers:: ... two members. Including me.

If there's insufficient interest, that's entirely fine, but I wanted to check whether that's the case. Is anyone out there interested in participating in this model, with or without deadlines? Would anyone prefer just to show up with passages/plots/quotes they want feedback on and play it all fast-and-loose? Would anyone feel uncomfortable participating if just any con member could show up and participate without necessarily contributing their own work? Does the scheduling against a Star Trek panel leave no one available?

Seriously, if you have even the slightest degree of interest, please speak up. I'm primarily soliciting feedback through my post over at the LJ Writercon community, but anyone who doesn't care to go to LJ can respond here instead. (I'm just less skilled with this forum.) I want to make this comfortable if anyone does want to come play, without pressure, and I'd be completely happy to just sit and chat about effective and ineffective writing techniques. If there are folks who want to submit a full story and have it fully workshopped, though, I want to make sure everyone's reminded in time.

So: let me know! Yes, no, maybe, with adjustments, with cheese, what do you think?

Isn't our panel workshop list awesome? This is the place to discuss, ask questions, tell us who you'd like to see on panels (you never know!) and, well, squee a little. I know we are!

One important aspect of planning Writercon has been addressing the need and desire to broaden the con's original scope. As we've moved through the process of crafting Writercon 2009 we've strived to create programs and panels that address the needs and interests of fanfiction writers no matter what the fandom. We honor and respect our Jossverse roots, not only historically, but as one of our largest "core" fandoms. But fandom is shiny and there are many new toys to play with in the sandbox. To that end, we've been stretching our wings, running polls at our website and seeking input from past attendees who are now involved in new fandoms.

To help us with this endeavor we're seeking input and help from you. Writercon is, and always will be, a con created by fans for fans and this is your opportunity to play a part. We've created a "Fandom Ambassador" program for those fans who are now active in non-Jossverse fandoms. As a FA you will be invited to join the live journal community "wc_ambassadors" where your advice will be sought as to what specifically would be of interest to your fandom. You will also act as a virtual "street team", taking Writercon news we share at wc_ambassadors to your fandom via communities and your LJ.

As a way to show our appreciation, FA 's who attend Writercon 2009 will be given a shout-out in our program book as well as receiving a few special on-site perks.

The very best fandom experience is interactive. That's what Writercon is all about and with your help we can reach out and take Writercon to your communities.

If you are interested in becoming a Fandom Ambassador, please leave a comment at the Writercon LJ telling us your favorite aspect of Writercon, what fandom communities you are involved in and a contact email address. As a matter of comfort, comments will be screened. Our goal is to select one FA for each of our core fandoms but we love the tiny fandoms too so don't hesitate to apply!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask here or there. We get around a lot. ;)

Hi all...

I've been recruited to establish more of a presence for Writercon in virtual communities.

If you're on Facebook, we now have a group on there. Search for Writercon, membership is open. http://www.facebook.com/

We're also in Second Life. If you haven't been in SL, you really don't know what you're missing. It literally is a virtual world, and there is a very large writing community there. (There's even a replica of Sunnydale you can wander through.) http://www.secondlife.com

If you're interested in Second Life, but don't know where to begin, drop me an email xionin (at) beautiful-freak.com.

If you already have an SL account, you can add me. my name there is Xionin Aeon. I'll send you an invite to the SL Writercon group.

Thanks, and see you all in Minneapolis!

~Xio

After a long and arduous journey we are beyond thrilled that Writercon 2009 is going live, today, with tickets and everything! We've been working hard to make 2009 a success but in the meantime, let's have a little fun - what are you looking forward to the most in 2009?

Personally, I'm looking forward to connecting with all of you - all the names on my flist who I haven't yet met, and reconnecting with those I have. To me, Writercon is more than solid, fun and interesting programming - it's a chance to connect, to feed off the energy that makes fandom so awesome and to be around people who understand the joy of reading, writing and playing between the lines.

Now it's your turn! Let us know what you're looking forward to.