November 2018 Bulletin
Entry posted by abhorsen. in bulletin
164 views
Welcome to the HPFT bulletin, where you can find all of our major monthly announcements and information about this year's NaNoWriMo!
If you're new, first and foremost: welcome to HPFT! It's awesome to have you with us. 
HPFanficTalk is a forum/archive - the forum is Harry Potter-themed (including a year-long house cup), but we talk about other fandoms, too, and the archive is multi-fandom/OF. 
We have a strong culture of support for other writers and feedback here, including a story help section, challenges, and reviewing events, so if you're a writer, you've come to the right place. 
A quick rundown to help you get started here on the forums: please post in the 'Welcome to HPFT' topic +here to say that you've read over the rules and understand them. You can specify your house in that post or in our sorting ceremony +here - once you do, we'll sort you into the right group so you can see a common room that only people in your house are allowed to see. You're welcome to post in your common room and/or in our introductions forum +here to introduce yourself if you'd like, and you may also find our +FAQs helpful.
Enjoy your stay!
We're very excited to welcome @ShadowRose to the muggle liaison team and to welcome @Alexis Black and @Chelts-rhj to the prefect team. We know that they'll all do a great job, and we're happy to have them aboard!
Congratulations, Taylor, Alexis, and Chelts-rhj!
Would you like to pitch in behind-the-scenes, too?
If so, you're in luck! Applications for all staff, prefect, and house newsletter editor positions are open for the next week. There's no limit based on post count/join date, and you can apply for as many positions as you like - it's all on one application. A detailed rundown on how HPFT staffing works can be found +here, and you can find the application +here. If you're interesting, please apply by Midnight EST on November 11th.
If you applied in September or October, you don't need to apply again unless you'd like to apply for additional positions or change your answers - we will still consider you this month.
NaNoWriMo is here! Whether you have a WIP that's been sitting unfinished for weeks months years a little while ( ), a brand new plunny running around your head, or just a thesis that you desperately need to finish, head over to the Crazies' Cafe! You'll be able to participate in rat races, start a writing journal, play some games, cheer on your fellow HPFTers... and get cheered on yourself. You got this. Let's start writing!
GRYFFINDOR:
The Den has been a hive of activity in October! Our Perfect Team has grown as @adorably cute has stepped up and thrown herself into planning and helping out around the CR! We've also launched our RvG Review Battle game this month, with over sixty reviews left on fellow lion's stories!!
Our Featured Fic for November is Yaxley [M] by @Sleepingbagonthesofa, and our Leading Lion is @Crimson Quill!! Congratulations to our winners, and to Sarah on her new roll! 
HUFFLEPUFF:
October was a quiet month in the Basement, but as the House Cup mazes and NaNo prep began, the Badgers emerged from hibernation. This month, we recognize an amazing Story of the Month: "Pretty Little Thing" by @Dojh167. Congratulations Sam! That's all for now, but don't forget to read the next issue of Hear Ye, Hufflepuff later this week for full details on all CR goings-on as we ramp up for November and NaNoWriMo!
RAVENCLAW:
This month has been busy in Ravenclaw Tower with the revival of fun game threads and a strong showing for our Blue vs. Bronze Review Battle! Our Claw of the Month for November is the ever-lovely and helpful @Margaret, and the Story of the Month winner is Queen of the Underworld [M] by @Chelts-rhj, a delightful take on the Hades & Persephone Greek myth. Many Claws are excited for NaNoWriMo, and we can't wait to see what everyone writes! 
SLYTHERIN:
Our Slytherin Members did so well defeating the Staff in the Count to 10 Game this month that the staff were forced to up their goal to 15!! We recognized the lovely @Nix as our final Hot Seat Review recipient. The Slytherin Staff/Prefect team is working on rotating out the Hot Seat game for another reviewing-type activity, so stay tuned for more info on that, Snakes! \O/ @juls was chosen as Slytherin's Snake of the Month for all of her hard work and dedication, and @Rumpelstiltskin's We, Lawbreaking Citizens [M] won Slytherin Story of the Month for November. Congratulations everyone!!!
Our first Head Student this month is someone who's been a consistent force within their House. Always in to help, always participating in events from the moment she first got here, and consistently writing a lot of great reviews as well. Her House certainly wouldn't be where they were right now if it weren't for her, so please give it up for...
Our second Head Student this month has been a true champion for their House as well, holding her own during the past events and making sure everything got done. She got superinvolved, let the charge, and is definitely a force to be reckoned with. So please give it up for...
Please PM @abhorsen. with your choices of stories to feature in next month's bulletin. Thank you again, and congratulations!
This month's Order of Merlin goes to...
It's always amazing to see new staffers dive in to help keep our wonderful community amazing and fun, and Nim has gone above and beyond to do just that. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and she is an absolute pleasure to have around. Not only has she been extremely active in her role on staff but she also always buzzing across the entire site, spreading that fantastic attitude and excitement she has. She is a wonderful person and totally deserves this month's Order of Merlin!
November's story of the month is...
To Boil Telephone Porridge (M) by @teh tarik
“Hello?” Kwai Sim says.
There’s a rustle at the other end, the plastic-pop of interference. Nobody answers, but the line is still holding.
Her heartbeat leaps to a frenetic pace before she even realises why.
“Daniel? Ah Khim? Is that you?” she says, very carefully. If she doesn’t say his name right, or with enough caution, it might not be him. Just her imagination, tricking the name off her tongue.
---------------------
A series of conversations between two people.
Every month, HPFT runs Fic Night, where a staff member reads a nominated fic from one of our members. You can check out @TidalDragon reading All Hallows Eve by @MadiMalfoy under the spoiler tag below if you haven't seen it yet!
This month, we're featuring: some winners of our monthly sitewide competitions, several stories from past FROGS and house yearly awards, and two staff picks. Thank you so much to our staffers who chose our two staff picks: @abhorsen. (Hermione Before the Beit Din) and @Rumpelstiltskin (Trapped). Click through for links; please keep in mind that some may be rated M.
Congratulations, @AbraxanUnicorn, @banshee, @clevernotbrilliant, @esmeraude, @facingthenorthwind, @scooterbug8515, @MadiMalfoy, @melian, @teh tarik, @Theia, @TreacleTart, and @Unwritten Curse!
November 10 - The Prefects Fall Writing Challenge by The Prefects
December 1 - The Unreliable Narrator Challenge by @Stella Blue & @Felpata_Lupin
December 14 - The Anti-Protagonist Challenge by @Unwritten Curse
December 20 - The Inspired By Art Challenge by @Chelts-rhj
December 24 - The Women Supporting Women Challenge by @esmeraude
May 31 – The Dragon Tale Story Challenge by @StarFeather
1 - @baletgir; @SpoonyLupin
7 - @Sarz
10 - @Milford833; @Phoenix_Flames
11 - @Finefrenzy__
18 - @scooterbug8515
19 - @just.a.willow.tree
20 - @toomanycurls
21 - @val
22 - @ShazaLupin
24 - @Lost Muse; @victoria_anne
27 - @putitonpaper
28 - @ShadowRose
Thanks for checking out this month's bulletin! Happy NaNo!
EDIT: House Cup points were updated, and you can see the breakdown here.
House news write-ups coordinated by @RoxiMalfoy and written by @Sleepingbagonthesofa, @Renacerá, @MadiMalfoy, and @Rumpelstiltskin. Order of Merlin written by @Rumpelstiltskin. Head students, challenges, and birthdays written up by @Ineke. All graphics and the rest of the bulletin written by @abhorsen..