Fanfiction contest

[dreamflower]

A library in OKC is sponsoring a Fanfiction Contest Unlike most such contests, there's no age limit, and the only restrictions seem to be entry length (2500 words or less) and the ability to show up in person on the day the winners are announced. OKC is a little bit of a drive, but certainly close enough for me to be there if I can get a Saturday off.

I've culled through my stories for ones of appropriate length. I tried to avoid stories that relied too much on OCs or minor canon characters, or too heavily on my own special universe. I've included one poem and one drabble set, the rest are fics. So now I need some help narrowing these down to the one I'd like to enter.

[Poll #1895961]

ETA: There is one other rule: it must feature a canon character.

Comments

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a terrific library to run a contest like that... and what a nice indication that fanfic is inching ever closer to being an accepted hobby. Good luck with whichever story you decide to submit!

[dreamflower]

I know! Most library fanfic contests are either limited to young people or are limited to one fandom!

[addie71.livejournal.com]

You should submit your favorite story. :))

[dreamflower]

Problem is, most of my favorites are too long, or are OC centric--the only other rule is that the story must feature a canon character.

[baranduin.livejournal.com]

Good luck! Very cool contest.

[dreamflower]

Thanks!

[fantasy-fan.livejournal.com]

I voted for "A Thorny Problem" because it is just so you! It has your trademark gentleness and humor and well, fellowship, between the hobbits and the rest of the company. I read them all, but I like this one best.

[dreamflower]

I love that one too. The ones I selected are also favorites of mine that fit the rules, but it's so hard to choose!

[shirebound]

What a joy to revisit these stories. I chose "Light" first, and would choose "A Thorny Problem" second and "Birthday Morning" third.

[dreamflower]

Thank you, dear! It really helps to have other people's thoughts on the subject!

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

oh I hope you win! I'd somehow be surprised if you didn't...

I didn't choose because I don't have time to reread/read right now, but I think whatever you enter out of your stuff will be wonderful!

[dreamflower]

I'd be surprised if I did, but it would be nice!

Thank you, dear! I know you are up to your eyeballs in RL right now!

[azalaisdep.livejournal.com]

I'm fascinated that a US public library feels confident enough to run a fanfiction contest. I've never heard of any UK public library doing the same - though I may just not have come across it, but a quick Google hasn't yielded any examples - and would have thought fanfic's untested legal status, in a distinctly grey area under UK copyright law, would put off any who thought about it...

[dreamflower]

Many librarians feel that fanfiction encourages reading, and most of those who feel that way also believe that fanfic falls under the "Fair Use" provision of copyright law. I know many other countries do not have such a provision in their copyright laws. Fanfiction in general has not been tested for this yet in the courts, but some books that fall into the area of "transformative" have; parody is definitely fair use, and using a work to examine social issues (such as the Gone with the Wind parody, The Wind Done Gone).

My own personal definition of Fanfiction? "Story-internal literary criticism". ;D

[lin4gondor.livejournal.com]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these, but the ones with Boromir are my favorites. ;-) I am choosing "Where Light in Darkness Lies" as my choice for your contest, but I also would pick "A Thorny Problem" if I could have two votes! My third pick goes to "Supper's Over, Breakfast's Cooking."

ETA: I love it that a library is sponsoring such a contest! If I were still in library work, I would totally support my library doing this!