For those not aware (especially those who don't usually haunt the Fan Creation subforums), one of the longest-running panels in Kumoricon history will be celebrating its ninth year at Kumoricon 2012!
The Fanfiction Bedtime Stories were created by the lovely Rem Saverem and myself all the way back in 2004, in response to a claim from a friend that fanfiction would "never" have its own following at cons because "you can't enjoy it in large groups the way you can watch an AMV or a cosplay skit". We begged to differ, and came up with a late-night panel where sleepy congoers could relax and listen to live dramatic readings of the best fanfiction in the Pacific Northwest!
So, how does it work? It's simple enough - just a panel room, some comfy chairs, a microphone, and a karaoke-style signup list. Anyone can sign up to read their work, or the work of a friend, aloud to the other attendees. (In the past, we have sometimes been able to connect a staff laptop to the hotel wireless to enable story lookup, but - alas - this is never guaranteed. We recommend Being Prepared and bringing your own readable resource, just in case.) And with a maximum time limit in place, no story will outstay its welcome and everyone will have a chance to shine. Of course, all authors are welcome to write links to their stories on our whiteboard, so that hooked listeners can find the rest of the tale! "To Be Continued...!"
So if you love a good bedtime story, and/or great fanfic, don't forget to swing through our panel on Sunday night after the cosplay skits are done! And if you're a writer yourself, bring along your laptop, smartphone, or a printout, and wow the world with your literary prowess! Pajamas, blankets, and pillows are optional, but definitely encouraged.
So, who can we look forward to seeing there?
