Fan Fiction is Serious Business at Everfree.

As many of you know, Everfree Northwest has developed a reputation as the premier convention for written work in our community, hosting more fiction and writing-related events than any other pony con. This year, we want to take that to the next level! To be blunt, we think horse-words are serious business, and that writers of pony fiction deserve the same consideration, and therefore the same sort of resources and events as authors in any other genre. We don't want to just talk about our writing, we want to tear it apart, challenge it, and improve it too!

To that end, Everfree Northwest is proud to announce that this July, our convention will be featuring not only the usual panels, discussions, and other convention staples, but several deeply interactive events and critique workshops as well. These will come in several flavors: a short, first-impression style "Open Read and Critique" (ORC) series, a longer-form, two-part group critique workshop, and a two-hour, real-time writing contest.

The ORCs will be held in several sessions throughout the con weekend. These events are open to anyone, and all you need to bring is the first 750 words or so of your story (in any format you wish.) You'll read it (in five minutes or less) to a table of four or five fellow authors, who will each respond with sixty-second impressions/critiques. After you've heard their feedback, you'll be given sixty seconds of your own to respond, then the readership will rotate, and you'll provide similar feedback for the other authors at your table. These rapid-fire feedback sessions can quickly help you discover how your story does or does not hook an audience in that critical opening scene. If you wish to participate, just show up with your story read on paper, phone, or even clay tablet, and be ready to read!

If brief feedback on an intro isn't enough, then you should consider attending the much more in-depth critique workshop we'll be offering as well. This will be a two-part event, with all participants bringing three printed copies of a short (3000-4000 word) story to the first session on Friday. There, you'll be given a basic introduction to critique methods, as well as some handouts to make it easier to review the work of your fellow authors. After that, you'll be split into groups of four, and in those groups, you'll swap stories with each other. All participants will be expected to find time to read and critique the three other stories in their group before the second session on Saturday, where we'll all meet and discuss the stories in person, before exchanging our written critiques. All authors are welcome, regardless of experience. The only requirement is that you must be willing to dedicate the time needed to properly critique the other stories in your group. Please expect to spend at least an hour of time per story (three hours total) on this, outside of the event itself. This can be done at night, while waiting in lines, during meals, etc. In return, you'll be receiving three equally-dedicated reviews of your own work.

Lastly, if you're an author of any level, don't forget to test yourself in our returning, favorite event: The Iron Author contest! Likewise open to all, this event challenges participants to write a short story in two hours or less, based upon a brief series of prompts. All stories will be reviewed by our writing staff and community judges, with winners announced and read aloud the next day. Be sure to bring a laptop/tablet/etc. to participate as submissions are generally by email. Pen/paper is allowed as well, but will likely put you at a disadvantage due to the time constraints.

If you plan to participate in any/all of these events, please remember Everfree Northwest is a family friendly convention, so any stories or excerpts you bring or write must be rated "teen" or lower.