We are the home of 599 authors from among our 4082 members.

A special welcome to our newest member, Jerinne.

We would like to welcome everyone with open arms, and we sure hope you will take the time to register and post your stories on our archive, browse our forums and join us in some wonderful conversation on the WizardTales chat!

WizardTales is pleased to announce that the following fics have been recommended by members of our staff for the month of June:

jayiin recommends:

Growing Up with Oliver Wood by Gwen Pennington

Fandom: Harry Potter

Reason for Recommendation: Because she writes kids awesome and because she can address a secondary character without making them cooler than the trio.  And there are kilts.

Snapes Talon recommends:

Snivellus and the Head Girl by SeverusSempra

Fandom: Harry Potter

Reason for Recommendation: This isn't your typical Severus/Lily story. The author methodically and realistically builds the relationship, carefully evolving both characters without slipping into OOC. Meticulous attention has been paid to crafting OC's and creating new, inventive spells. A pleasure to read!

KrysCullen recommends:

A Future with Imperfections by Subtlynice

Fandom: Twilight

Reason for Recommendation: This author really digs into the mind of Alice Cullen and what she is feeling when Edward decides to leave Bella. Usually in fanfiction you get either Bella or Edward's PoV on this topic and it is nice to see how someone else who loves them both is affected by this decision.

butter_beer_drinker recommends:

Forever on the Closed Ward by Aelan Greenleaf2

Fandom: Harry Potter

Reason for Recommendation: I really liked the style and the flow of this story. Even though her character uses an alias, it is pretty obvious who they are but it does not deter from the story line. The lines flow well; the story is simple yet sad and easy to follow.

The WizardTales staff is pleased to announce the launch of its first multi-fandom challenge!

The clock is ticking…

The following takes place in the span of an hour.  An hour is merely a unit of time, equivalent to 3600 seconds, 60 minutes, or 1/24 of a mean solar day.  It is short lived but can easily become one of the most important moments in a person’s life.  As each second passes, lives can be altered.

Where are you during the most important hour of your life?  What occurs?  How does it change you?  Is it the end of the world or a new beginning?  Or is it a simple moment that teaches you an important lesson?

Your task is to take a character from any of the four fandoms: The Harry Potter Series, The Inheritance Cycle, The Lord of the Rings or The Twilight Series and to describe the most important hour of his or her life.

All entries must meet the following criterion:

• Adherence to the site’s Submission Guidelines
• Minimum word count of 1000 words
• Multi-chaptered submissions must be completed by the deadline
• All submissions must be placed under the 'One-Hour Challenge' classification

All entries will be judged on the following:

• Adherence to prompt
• Clarity of writing
• Grammar/Spelling mechanics
• Characterization

Bonus Points: To be as quotes within the context of the story

• There are things in this world which are out of our control. Sometimes we like to blame ourselves for them so we can try to make sense out of them.
• How can you protect my family when you can't even protect yours?
• Events occur in real time.
• I know what it's like to feel like it's never going to end.
• We don't have time for your personality disorder!
• When you look at it in perspective, you'll realize I was acting in your best interest.
• How long have you been playing me?

All entries must be submitted by 11:59pm EDT, Saturday, June 27, 2009. The winner will receive domain name registration of their choice, a one-year basic hosting package from Dragon Networks, and custom design.

Good luck and happy writing!

(All quotes provided for the challenge bonus points are from the television show “24”.)

WizardTales Staff is proud to announce the opening of a new weekly challenge on the forums. The Weekly Drabble Challenge invites users to write a meaningful story in response to a prompt - all in five-hundred words or less!

Think this sounds easy? You can check out the first challenge here! New prompts are posted every Saturday, and while only the winner can call himself "Drabble King," all entries get valuable critique from the panel of judges!

You can find the full list of rules in this thread.

WizardTales is pleased to announce that the following fics have been recommended by members of our staff for the month of May:

myownmuggle recommends:

A Destiny in Time by Gmariam
Fandom: Harry Potter

Reason for Recommendation: Gina has written one of the few time travel fics I've read that doesn't become convoluted. It's complicated, certainly, but she weaves an incredible plot with highs and lows. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy as you watch Harry go back in time to try to change one of the most important moments of his life.

MuggleMomma recommends:

From White to Black by Opifex
Fandom: Inheritance

Reason for Recommendation: This story had me enamored from the very first chapter. What I expected was a chronicle of how Galbatorix went from Rider to evil king. Though it does indeed provide that chronicle, the means was not at all what I expected...throughout the vastly detailed plot, this author intricately weaves known canon with her own imagination using incredibly detailed characterizations, a couple of well-placed and appropriate OCs, and a writing style that allows the reader to immerse him- or herself in the story to the extent that it feels like a proper beginning to the series.

phenomenon recommends:

Lily's Son by h_vic
Fandom: Harry Potter

Reason for Recommendation: Maybe it's just because I've been devouring Snape/Lily lately, but this story paints a stunning picture of the emotions going through Severus' mind during Harry's Sorting. The memories of how he betrayed Lily, the what-could-have-been thoughts that make him shake, and the pain he feels as he sees so clearly that the boy in front of him could not be his. It's a wonderful story whose summary does it more justice than I ever could:
"Even if Severus could forgive Harry Potter for who his father was, forgiving him for who his father was not may be harder." 

Buttamellow recommends:

The Talk, Part 1 (One Shot) by Strider
Fandom: Twilight

Reason for Recommendation: This story is humorous and endearing in the way it captures an awkward conversation between Edward and Carlisle. I found myself chuckling and grinning throughout the entire fic as Edward and Carlisle discussed Edward's approaching wedding night with Bella.
  

WizardTales is pleased to announce the launch of the WizardTales Weekly!  Volume One of the WizardTales Weekly can be found on our livejournal account.  Please be sure to check out the latest new regarding the site and our favorite fandoms. 

Look forward to new volumes in the coming weeks!