Ladies and Gentlemen...

Latest winners of the What's the Story? contest...

Brave souls who put their wits, skill, and rhetoric to the test and on the line week after week after week...

Newly anointed authors of the Star Wars universe...

I speak to you as peers. And I salute you.

By your skill, your persistence, and creativity, you have proven that you have what it takes to be a published writer and to share company with such luminaries as Brian Daley, Archie Goodwin, Michael A. Stackpole, Kevin J. Anderson, Timothy Zahn, Matthew Woodring Stover, and a number of other Star Wars authors who have all helped to create and shape this elaborate and beautiful mythology.

Let me emphasize that I really enjoyed these entries. In the first round there was the ingenious little tale of Magaloof, the intelligent UT-AT piece, the neat Praji and Godalhi connections, Rango's hilarious "Mandalorian" get-up, and I finally got to know who Swilla Corey is! Her sly face captivated my imagination ever since it was first showcased by the folks at the Decipher Customizable Card Game.

In the second round there are well-told tales of betrayal and tragedy for Kalyn Farnmir and Grizz Frix, the truly inspired name and background of Romeo Treblanc (Mr. Ki-Aaron-Mundi seems cursed to always have his character entries renamed), the cool entry on Bail's speeder, and the Ewok-continuity tour de force in General Yavid's entry. And as a tribute to imagination, there is javajawas' creative take on Pax Bonkik, who would otherwise be just another forgettable rubber face.

In the third round there is the timeless (and galaxyless!) portrait of corrupt politician Acros-Krik, the familiar story of Leektar and his superstar All-Ewokian brother, the understandable but foolish selfishness of Diva Shaliqua, the "buono" Imperial Lt. Oicunn, Tzizvvt and Solomahal's excellent adventure, and the revelation of Melee's puppy-love for Anakin!

The fourth round of winners give us the wonderfully unhappy ending of BesGas Three, an undercover Ortolan Jedi (I love Ortolans), the bitter E-3PO, introduces the cool Kegans, and Halagad Ventor even gets a cameo. My favorite, though, is the utterly creative Wol Cabbash ite entry... something really special there.

I'm amused at the appearance of references to entries by past winners of What's the Story?, such as Romeo Treblanc popping up in Diva Shaliqua's entry. A writer needs to make sure that such references add to the story instead of detract, but this sort of cross-pollination and support of your fellow authors' work, in- and out-of-universe, is one of the important habits professional writers cultivate in creating a successful career.

I'm also happy to see that several of these new Star Wars authors are familiar faces...or at least familiar usernames. I find that several authors' names are coming up more than once, suggesting, A) the skill level of these writers is considerable, or B) they are submitting entries to the contest regularly. The truth is, the answer is probably "both" in most cases. Individually, each of these disciplines is important; together they feed off one another and turn fans into regularly published authors. Keep this in mind.

Guys, I invite you to drop me an email (abelgpena@star-wars.net) or post a comment so your name can be identified with your starwars.com handle, if you wish. Though I've got most of you from the first three rounds, there are several new faces this time around.

Beginning with the fifth round of entries, I've started a new blog dedicated to honoring new authors, so make sure you hop on over there too. Also, check out the new index for behind the scenes info by winners of the What's the Story? contest.

Congratulations folks! You've taken your first steps into a larger world. ~ Abel G. Peņa
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRESENTING THE TALENT...

Fourth Round

Olana Chion
By the fragrant wookiee and Iosid Mainas (a.k.a. Master Starkeiller), with Billy Buehler (a.k.a. The2ndQuest)

Bal'demnic
By Arthur Papadam (a.k.a. Arf Maul)

Wol Cabassh ite
By ejmacki

Nem Bees
By Kyle Jewhurst (a.k.a. Lord Hydronium)

E-3PO
By The Phantom Calamari and ejmacki, with Tyler Fisher (a.k.a. Fisty Fiham)

BesGas Three
By Tyler Fisher (a.k.a. Fisty Fiham)


Third Round

Leektar
By Andrew Gilbertson (a.k.a. Hecko Tenton) and Arthur Papadam (a.k.a. Arf Maul)

Melee
By Alex Dishal (a.k.a. jarjarsmeagol), Ghent-the-Slicer, Cockroach King FS, and James Floyd (a.k.a. jawajames1)

Acros-Krik
By Gregory Walker (a.k.a. NarbFlick)

Diva Shaliqua
By nelwyn53100 and Nathan O'Keefe (a.k.a. Valin Kenobi)

Lieutenant Oicunn
By Daniele F. (a.k.a. Jedi Master Daniele F.) with James Floyd (a.k.a. jawajames1)

Tzizvvt
By Tim Veekhoven (a.k.a. Sompeetalay)


Second Round

Grizz Frix
By Paul Celer (a.k.a. Kast Morben)

Romeo Treblanc
By Aaron Sinner (a.k.a. Ki-Aaron-Mundi) with Benjamin Christopher Norton Dawe (a.k.a. Captain Yossarian)

Kalyn Farnmir
By Benjamin Christopher Norton Dawe (a.k.a. Captain Yossarian)

Pax Bonkik
By Ashley Sharpe (a.k.a. javajawas)

General Yavid
By Nathan O'Keefe (a.k.a. Valin Kenobi)

Bail Organa's airspeeder
By Master Devwi


First Round

Tannon Praji
By Zack Bossan (a.k.a. Nex: The T is Hott!!)

Janu Godalhi
By Adrick Tolliver (a.k.a. TalonCard86), gohan316427, and General Tarfful (name withheld)

Rango "Tank Head" Tel
By Aaron Sinner (a.k.a. Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi) with Captain Daultay Dofine

Swilla Corey
By Tim Veekhoven (a.k.a. Sompeetalay)

Magaloof
By Gregory Walker (a.k.a. NarbFlick)

Unstable Terrain Artillery Transport (UT-AT)
By Billy Buehler (a.k.a. The2ndquest) and The Dark Moose (name withheld)


BLOG INDEX

MYSPACE PROFILE