FRIDAY FAN FICTION REPORT - 3/6/98
[Previous report was for 3/4/98]

Hi guys,

Tonight I'd like to call attention once again to a VERY worthy effort I first reported on back in Nov. 1997 - THE BARD'S BOOK CLUB. The XWP experience online has undoubtedly been special for all of us in one way or another enhancing the viewing experience to something we can really partake in every day of the week, allowing us to make new friends and to experience the talent of so many creative minds out there both on the show and throughout the Net. One of the most special things I think which has come out of this phenomena is a real effort to channel our love for this show and the people associated with it into something that can also benefit society at large. During Lucy's stint on GREASE Xenites who are members of the Sword and Staff Society and the NY Xenafest Committee asked fans who were planning to send flowers to instead donate money to a fundraising effort for a drug treatment center named Daytop Village. The Xenites who were involved in this made sure our girl got flowers on her fantastic opening night and also garnered quite a bit of money which was donated on behalf of the XWP cast to a worthy cause. Sword and Staff is now accepting contributions from fans for a similar fundraising drive in honor of Lucy and Robert Tapert's upcoming Wedding. The money raised will be donated in their name to various charitable organizations (see the SWORD & STAFF Homepage for information at http://xena.simplenet.com/swordstaff.html).

Last year the MacGabbers from Clan MacGab got an effort underway to have ALA - the American Libraries Association - make available a GABRIELLE READ poster featuring our beloved bard - this to join the posters already available featuring Xena and Hercules. Well they were successful and yes we now have a lovely poster of the bard but also the show is now further associated with ALA's ongoing literacy campaign and hopefully some of those posters will be inspiring both kids and adults to read (For ordering info. see http://arcane.eng.ohio-state.edu/bgaynor/xenaread.htm)

At various Xenafests and Xena conventions auctions have been held to benefit a number of different charities again allowing fans to channel their love for the show into something that can help others and ultimately help us all. Then late last year THE BARD'S BOOK CLUB was established to "honor Renee O'Connor, Lucy Lawless and all the people at "Xena: Warrior Princess" who inspire us to live courageously and follow our dreams. THE BARD'S BOOK CLUB is "an organization to provide books to at-risk and underprivileged children and young adults on an ongoing basis." Considering how much many of you like myself obviously enjoy reading, I can't think of a more appropriate effort than something which can inspire others to discover the pleasure of books. I URGE you to please take a look at the Web page Wakar maintains explaining the concept behind THE BARD'S BOOK CLUB. One club has already been set up and is proving very successful. You have the option of supporting that effort or perhaps even starting local clubs of your own. THE BARD'S BOOK CLUB page is at: http://www.sonic.net/LightStreams/XWPTBBC.html

Now for OUR reading pleasure...two new ones and an update :)

GENERAL FICTION:

RANK STRANGERS TO ME by Virgina Carper
Set during the events in the episode THE DELIVERER, this story proposes a scenario of what could have been happening during Xena and Gabrielle's time with Boudiccea and the Iceni people. Virginia's tale presents a savage depiction of the Iceni that is probably more historically accurate than what was suggested in the TV series. Her Gabrielle is a dreamer caught in a nightmare who cannot understand the violence going on around her - an innocent reaching out in desperation only to find a kindly foreign priest the only one willing to listen. Intense and thought-provoking, this story is a MUST READ. DO NOT MISS!
http://members.aol.com/xxlbadboy/rank.htm

ALTERNATIVE FICTION:

THE MAGIC OF EGYPT by CN Winters
CN's latest is a combination Mel/Janice - Xena/Gab story that begins in 1946 with the archeologist and her partner traveling to Egypt. It is while working on a dig there that they discover a new set of scrolls written by their ancestors - scrolls containing a tale that will help change the lives of Mel and Janice forever, as the warrior and bard reach across the eons to give their descendants the courage to be honest. CN weaves the two separate stories in nicely, often using one to lead into the other. An entertaining read.
http://www.amazontrails.com/xena/magic.htm

PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY by Paul Seely and Jennifer Garza
Part six of this story is now available. This is the highly anticipated sequel to one of the best uber-Xena stories available on the Net, SURFACING which already looks like it's going to rival Paul and Jennifer's first story as one wildly exiting ride! Featuring one VERY deadly encounter between a trained killer and the men assigned to protect its quarry, the opening sequence is a gripping combination of suspense, action, intrigue and pathos - set in sharp contrast to the scenes which follow as we see Diana and Charlie enjoying domestic life. The months of tranquillity, however, have not affected the ex-agent's razor-sharp senses which soon enough are warning her that the peace she's been enjoying may just be coming to an end. In this latest part, the ex-agent reunites with an old enemy. As in SURFACING, Paul and Jennifer do here an outstanding job of imbuing their writing with a very contemporary "feel". The relationship between Diana and Charlie is characterized by an easiness between them - a level of comfort that reveals their love even in the smallest of gestures. Excellent writing and excellent storytelling. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! http://members.aol.com/PJSeely/index.html

For those of you reading this post who are not familiar with the term alternative (alt.), it refers to ADULT stories that add a romantic element to the relationship between Xena and Gabby, depicting them as more than just friends.

Happy reading!

Lunacy 8-)