What did I miss - oh yeah this stuff

Rumors of my death have been...slightly...exaggerated.

Yes it's true I disappeared without notice for nearly a week.
No I cannot tell you why, nor do most of you care, but I can assure you it doesn't have....much...to do with the Ontario Provincial Police, the French Canadian underground separatist movement, OR the fine employees of the Cheetah club of Windsor Ontario.

While I was gone there was an episode, and a bunch of con announcements, and people acting like...well pretty much as expected by this point, and a lot of that will be coming your way as soon as I sleep this off.
I copypasta'd some of the announcements below in the most lazy fashion I can muster, and will be surprised if the photos even work.

To Jacques in holding cell 4: Cest la vie, viva la resistance! 

"Greetings Everpony! From the organizers of Ponyville Ciderfest in Milwaukee, WI, and members of the of the Windy City Bronies group, we present to you: Whinny City Pony Con! 

(Insert provided image here)

Whinny City Pony Con takes place April 1st- 3rd, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, just 30 min from downtown Chicago, IL and 15 minutes from O'Hare Intl Airport!

Check out our website at whinnycityponycon.com. Feel free to like us on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whinny-City-Pony-Con/886336821424476?fref=ts, and Follow us at #WhinnyCityPony. Also follow us on tumblr at http://whinnycityconvention.tumblr.com!

Be on the look out in the next week for our hotel and registration announcement!"

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Third!

(Art source)

Bastion, by Cloud Hop

This is one of those feels-ey stories that everyone and their mother has been attempting to write; the kind that the author usually hopes will shoot straight to the front page and stay there for days. Unlike all those others, this one did, and it deserved every second. At first glance, it's yet another remake of an old classic: grizzled, gruff old soldier gets his icy heart melted by some adorable youngster. Buuuuuut Cloud Hop managed to avoid the pitfalls of this kind of piece, making it truly memorable.

--Asylum

Bastion is a classic grumpypants-meets-feisty-scamp story that's told very well. Celestia is a treat to read, and filly Twilight is in rare form. While some may question why Celestia would allow a guard pony to work as hard as this one, I find it easy to see Celestia inspiring this kind of loyalty. Twilight's adoracute fuzziness can break down any barrier, and I love to watch them crumble.

--Silver Flare

Bastion is one of those stories that masterfully frames something hard, aged, and callused with a stark balance of warmth, understanding, and that childhood innocence that caused us to love My Little Pony in the first place. This is a story about recognition for Bastion and his isolated job as Celestia's overly perfect guard. This is a story about just what Princess Celestia saw in a young Twilight Sparkle. This is a story for soldiers, parents, and those who work too hard without enough recognition and thanks. This is the story of Bastion.

--Piquo Pie

Pretty impressive! Cloud Hop will have their story description and place mentioned in the EFNW conbook, as well as receive a third place patch, several EFNW contest pens, a $10 Amazon gift card, and an assortment of EFNW merch.

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Second!

(Art Source)

Daring Do & The Rookie Editor, by Naughty_Ranko

Now this was a very nice interpretation of how the Daring Do books came to be. I like both official (canon and EU canon) authors of the books, and although I'm a bit biased on Daring Do stories, this was just a treat. Perhaps a little close to how they reveal Yearling's identity in the show, but honestly I like it better here.

--Ckat_Myla

This... was clever. Honestly I don't really have anything more substantial to say. This is one of the most original fanfics I've read in a while. It took two characters that have no business being in the same story together, and not only managed to make it work, but shine.

--Asylum

This one stands out for the uncommon friendship it proposes, and how it serves as a foundation for one defining aspect of Twilight Sparkle's character. Daring Do requiring an editor makes sense. Furthermore, it makes such sublime sense it could fit easily into just about any head canon. Daring Do's need for an editor, Velvet's need for more regular hours, and the unfortunate arrival of goons all leads to the perfect first meeting between author and adventurer.

--Pen Stroke

Wow, quite the accolades! I'd like to point out that this story was also in a 4-way tie for third place in the Community Choice voting. Naughty_Ranko will also have their story description and place mentioned in the EFNW conbook, as well as receive a second place patch, several EFNW contest pens, a $15 Amazon gift card, and an assortment of EFNW merch.

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First!

Letters From the Capital, by Apple Bottoms

Really, really well done correspondence trope. Both characters stand out as unique and multi-dimensional. The story and plot are there, but not forced, and there's a lovely emotional component as well. Together, it all fits very naturally as a story of new friendship.

--Xepher

For such a restrictive word limit, Apple Bottoms manages to weave a touching narrative that, somehow, doesn't feel constrained by the word limit. Or by the format. Trixie and Twilight are both given room to be themselves, and the story just feels good to read. In a contest full of standouts, Letters From The Capital still manages to stand a cut above.

--Silver Flare

This story goes a route you don't usually see in shorter fiction, but achieves this unexpected storyline because of the chosen format as a series of letters. In a contest where the the storyline is to make new friends, this one has the possible friendship first dip and weaken, threatening to break before it grows back into something stronger and more lasting than it was before. It is a kind of storyline I don't recall seeing in any of the stories I read, and the same could be said for this format. A unique plot told in a unique way to give us a unique take on the contest prompt.

--Pen Stroke

Wooo! Let's hear it for our winner! Apple Bottoms will also have their full story printed in the convention conbook after a full edit. In addition, they will receive a 1st place patch, custom engraved high quality pen and pen holder declaring them an award-winning author, several Everfree Northwest contest pens (for more casual use), messenger bag, be invited to an interview to be posted online and featured by Everfree Northwest, a $20 Amazon gift card, and an assortment of EFNW merch.

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Community Choice

We asked you, the FIMFic community to come together and vote for your favorite story, and vote you did. I personally spent several hours searching your mishmashed comments and tallying your votes. In the end, we had a very, very close final.

That said, the winner of the Community Choice award, with 22 votes, is:

Pretty Simple, by Gulheru

This story was simply marvelous. The heart and the tone and the everything and the omigoshomigosh *squeee* Discord's narrative voice was a treat, and the whole story just flew by in a rush of quirky comedy and d'awwwws. This author earned a watch from me, for sure.

--Silver Flare

Congratulations to Gulheru, they will have a brief description of their story in the convention conbook, and receive a community choice patch, several EFNW pens, a $10 Amazon gift card, and an assortment of EFNW merch.

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Honorable Mentions

A Bump in the Road, by EloquenceInkwell

This is a real gem. I couldn't find any major faults in the execution of it, and it's a lovely idea. The dynamic between Maud and Trixie really shines, and they play off of each other extremely well. Even when Trixie was alone, her antics could bring a smile. It's nice to see characters with real character, portrayed by an author who knows how to let them shine.

--Ocalhoun

This amazing tale made it to the final judging round of 8, as well as the top 8 from the community choice voting. As an honorable mention, EloquenceInkwell will receive several Everfree Northwest contest pens, and an assortment of 2014 Everfree Northwest merch.

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(Art Source)

Fluttershy's Sick Day, by Everyday

Definitely a great contender for 'story that could easily be done on the show'. I originally thought this would be a FS/Discord friendship story, but then Discord and Angel make that truce and it is just so lovely. Cute sweetness all around.

--Ckat_Myla

This sweet story was narrowly defeated in our final judging round, but was still in the top 8. As an honorable mention, Everyday will receive several Everfree Northwest contest pens, and an assortment of 2014 Everfree Northwest merch.

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Snails Aren't Bugs, by Admiral Biscuit

Simple so-wrong-it-makes-sense logic is very difficult to get right as it must be right on the surface, deliciously wrong, and yet right enough to believably make sense to a character. This story nails it. It also took the time to imagine a context full of little details that cement the setting in Equestria. Lots of effort here. Highly entertaining.

--SirTruffles

This story also made it into both the final judging round of 8, and the top 8 of the community choice. As an honorable mention, Admiral Biscuit will receive several Everfree Northwest contest pens, and an assortment of 2014 Everfree Northwest merch.

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The Pony Next Door, by HapHazred

Strange... so strange. But great! A wonderful example of magic realism, which curiously is hard to find in human/pony universe crossovers. Celestia just “is there” and everyone is somehow quickly okay with this. It works though, and reminds me a lot of the classic sci-fi short, "Bears Discover Fire."

--Xepher

Congratulations to HapHazred for making it to the final round of judging. As an honorable mention, they will receive several Everfree Northwest contest pens, and an assortment of 2014 Everfree Northwest merch.

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Welcome everyone and everypony, to our final results announcement for the 2015 Everfree Northwest Pre-convention Writing Contest. I'm your friendly, neighborhood spiderman writing track lead, Xepher! Let's get right to it!

This year, the field was really packed. We had 75+ entries, making the job of our judges quite the difficult one. We went through three rounds of elimination behind the scenes, just to allow enough time for reading all these wonderful entries. In the end though, we selected the three top stories from our final round of eight. So without further ado, I would like to present the winners of this year's contest!

(Art Source)

Griffon It Another Try, by Winston

This is a story that's been done before. Many times. So what makes it stand out? The execution. The author kept things simple to the point where the title could simply be “Pinkie makes friends with Gilda”, and the story is stronger for it. He simply let the characters write the story, as it should be.

--Asylum

And yet another that made it to both final rounds of 8! As an honorable mention, Winston will receive several Everfree Northwest contest pens, and an assortment of 2014 Everfree Northwest merch.

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(Art Source)

A Friend In Me, by TheNewYorkBrony

This story didn't make the final cut, it didn't even make my final cut, but this story is going to be with me far longer than any other story in this contest, probably even this year. A Friend in Me is a great example of a not perfect story that hits that “something special” for a large number of people. Trying to grade it is like trying to compare a perfect, college textbook example of a perfect story with Harry Potter. Yes, the other stories might technically be a bit better, but the heart in this story hits home for many people far harder than any textbook can teach. It features multiple realizations of ADHD that were expressed perfectly, with real, lively characters. I can say that; I have ADHD and a degree in Psychology. If you know anyone with, or are curious about, ADHD. This story will hit home with you.

--Piquo Pie

And that's our final Honorable Mention, coming in at 20 votes and a solid second place for the Community Choice. As an honorable mention, TheNewYorkBrony will receive several Everfree Northwest contest pens, and an assortment of 2014 Everfree Northwest merch.

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The stories above cover almost the entirety of both the final judging round of eight, and the top eight from the community choice voting. There are, however, two stories that have gone unmentioned. I'm sorry to say they don't win any prizes, but as they were in the final round for Community Choice, I feel I would be derelict in my duty if I didn't direct readers to at least check them out.

Those stories are: Tea with The Queen by Lapis Lazuli, and Lulamoon Dreams by Spirit Shift.

---

Thank you again to all of the contestants! There were so many good stories this year that judging was incredibly hard work. Thank you also to everyone who voted for the Community Choice awards.

We hope we'll see many of you at Everfree Northwest this May. If you've been listed as a prize winner, and plan to attend the convention, you can collect your prize there. If you do not plan to attend, we can work to arrange shipping in the US. In either case, please PM me (Xepher) on FIMFic with a valid email address, and I'll contact you to arrange shipping or pickup of your prize materials.

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Hello everypony! We're proud to announce our winners and honorable mentions for the Everfree Northwest 2015 Conbook Cover contest!

1st place

Winner: Hollulu

Title: "Mocha Most of Your Day!"

Deviantart: hollulu.deviantart.com

Artist Statement: Mocha Sunrise's morning coffee gives just the kick she needs to clear the stormy skies above Seattle! Hail coffee! c:

Hollulu will receive a $100 Amazon gift card, have her print sold at the EFNW con store (receiving 50% of the profit share), receive a complimentary badge to Everfree NW 2015, and their art will grace the cover of the official Everfree NW Con Book!

2nd Place

Winner: Aryana Welch

Deviantart: okapifeathers.deviantart.com

Artist Statement: I wanted to emphasize that we have fans from all over the world participating in both the convention and the contest, which is why I decided to include the globe. Seattle is marked by a rainbow coloured star, a small reference to Seattle's opening and welcoming culture in regards to acceptance of all individuals. I wanted the poses to be dynamic so that it could create a more attractive art print, since this image would double as both a book cover and a print. I used bright, happy colours because it is of course, very pony. I also wanted to be able to represent at least something from the show itself, so I included those references in the sky and the stars, letting both Luna and Celestia (and a little bit of Twilight) show through for anyone that wants to look for a bit more meaning.

And of course, the stars of the show are Mocha Sunrise and Front Page.

3rd Place (Tie!)

Winner: SouthParkTaoist

Deviantart: southparktaoist.deviantart.com

Artist Statement: The main portion of the work tries to merge the beautiful flora, mountainous landscape, and the stormy Northwestern weather with the chaotic nature of the Everfree Forest. The EFNW logo has a crack in it like the current version, with Front Page triumphantly standing above it. She holds a flag with the EFNW logo which subtly forms a crown behind her head. As Seattle's iconic Space Needle cannot be used I incorporated elements of similar space-themed architectural structures into the flag pole Front Page is holding and the frame holding the logo and text information. The frame also contains the mascot Mocha Sunrise and a cup of Seattle coffee.

Winner: lumelya

Deviantart: lumelya.deviantart.com

Artist Statement: I wanted to convey the feeling of standing on a street corner in the Pacific Northwest on a beautiful sunny day. Mount Rainier is featured in the background. I took some creative license and changed the pedestrian signal to a horseshoe.

Our 2nd place and two 3rd place winners will each have their art featured in the official Everfree NW Con Book, have their print sold at the EFNW con store (receiving 50% of the profit share), and receive a complimentary badge to Everfree NW 2015!

Honorable Mentions

Honorable Mention: Verulence
Devientart: verulence.deviantart.com

Honorable Mention: slifertheskydragon
Devientart: slifertheskydragon.deviantart.com

Honorable Mention: Christa D Designs
Facebook: www.facebook.com/christaddesigns

Honorable Mention: derangedhyena
Website: www.derangedhyena.com

Honorable Mention: Jacob Doughty

Honorable Mention: Viwrastupr

Deviantart: viwrastupr.deviantart.com

Honorable Mention: Leviathina

Honorable Mention: JohansRobot
Deviantart: johansrobot.deviantart.com

A hearty congratulations to our winners and a big thank you to those who entered!

Exclusive Ticketed Events at Everfree NW 2015

Greetings fillies and gentlecolts!

Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with the Special Guests of Everfree Northwest? How about dinner with Discord? Or breakfast with Celestia? Maybe you want to learn from the pros, at a Voice Acting Class!

Well, you're in luck! This year, Everfree Northwest is proud to present new exclusive ticketed events! Listed below are the events that will be available. We are hosting several events that will let you get up close and hold one one one conversations with the talented creators of Friendship is Magic. Tickets are limited, and once they're sold out there won't be any more!

Sponsor's will have first chance to buy tickets (only 10 Sponsor Badges left!), so if you want to be in the first wave, make sure you buy or upgrade your badge (everfreenw.com/event-registration )! Other badge types will be able to purchase tickets starting next week. Tickets will be picked up with your badge at the convention. More details on the events and dates/times will be available at the time of purchase.

Breakfast with Celestia - $200
Dinner with Discord - $250
Voice Acting Class with Lee Tockar - $150
Mock Pitch Meeting with Jim Miller and Jayson Thiessen - $150
Sherclop Pones Variety Show (featuring John de Lancie) - $40

Please email any questions to info@everfreenw.com with the subject 'Ticketed Events'. We will respond as soon as possible with any inquiries.

Everfree NW 2015 Conbook Ad Space (Availability Ends 5-4-15)

If you have something you want to promote, be it a service, product, message, or something else, there’s no better way to get you message in front of the MLP fan community that with an ad in the Everfree Northwest conbook!

We will be offering the following as sizes:

• Full Page ($160): 6-3/8′′ × 8-1/4′′

• Half Page ($90): 6-3/8“ x 4”

• Quarter Page ($50): 3“ x 4”

If you interested, act fast! The deadline to submit is May 4th. Send your request for ad space to both our Design team atdesign@everfreenw.com and our Business team at business@everfreenw.com.

The ad must be in a .pdf, .jpg, .png, .ai or .psd file format with a minimum dpi of 300.

Payment for ad space may be made via PayPal (preferred) or check.

EFNW Charity Auction

Each year the EFNW convention holds a charity auction to benefit the Seattle Children’s Hospital. Over the past three years we have raised over $75,000 for charity and during out 2014 auction we raised ~$40,000. We couldn't do it without your and the community’s help! We hope you’ll join us again and help us make this year’s Charity Auction a success by donating to the Everfree Northwest 2015 Charity Auction.

If you have an item you wish to donate for the Everfree NW 2015 Charity Auction please visit the Charity page on our website and fill out a donation form at everfreenw.com/charity.

The deadline for pre-con donations is May 15th, 2015, two weeks before the convention. At-con donations will be accepted as well.