~Updates~ 

 New registrations - As previously announced, Firthness has currently suspended new member registrations as Clare moves to the UK and gets set up. We hope to have the registration open again by early October but cannot guarantee anything. Please keep an eye on Updates for further information. The Forums will be open to members as usual.   

~Updates~ 

 New registrations - Clare is moving from Australia to the UK in September to go back to study. As a result, we will be temporarily suspending new member registrations for Firthness from Wednesday 1st September (Australian time) until she finds a place to live and is set back up with regular Internet connection. We thank you for your patience with this and look forward to welcoming new members in the near future.

 ~Updates~

 Story update - Sophie has updated 'The Ice House' and chapter 3 is now available so rush on over to her section to find out what happens next.

~Updates~

The is tickled pink and totally a-twirl!  I'm quacking loudly to announce the addition of a Firthness Author - Sophie! Sophie has added all of her completed stories as well as Chapter One of her WIP's The Ice House and Symphony No. 2. Do rush over to her section to read them right away.

Also, the challenge entries from last summer have been archived so make sure you pay them a visit.

And, oh my aching wings! These lovely authors are keeping my beak to the grindstone lately -- don't forget to check out Chapters 22-24 of Shemmelle's wonderful Marriage is a Mistake (Every Man Should Make) in our Recommendations!

And, keep your eyes open, my tail feathers are aquiver at what's yet to come ...

~Pond News~

The is also pleased to annouce the arrival of two new admins to the pond. Please join us in welcoming Alison and Sophie to the team.

~ Updates ~

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FIRTHLINGS!!

The duckie is absolutely thrilled to announce the following gifts for the holidays!  First, just in time for Christmas, we have updates from two of our delightful recommended authors! 

Chapters 19-21 of Shemmelle's hilarious Marriage is a Mistake (Every Man Should Make) have just been posted in Recommendations!  Rush right over, you won't be sorry!

But, not only that, Firthlings, the duckie is atwirl at the updating of Roslyn's exquisite A Summer Early, so do rush on over to read.

~ Pond News ~

It is with a great deal of sadness that we at Firthness announce that Lisa L has decided to remove her stories from the site.  We thank her for sharing her marvelous and entertaining stories with us over the years, and wish her all the best.

~ Updates ~

Shemmelle's To Bear is to Conquer our Fate is complete!  We have posted the last two chapters and the Epilogue for you, freshly put up in Recommendations.  Rush over to read Chapters 31, 32 and the Epilogue.  You won't be disappointed! 

~June Updates~

Happy June, Firthlings! 

Shemmelle's To Bear is to Conquer our Fate is nearly at an end!  We have posted three more chapters for you, freshly put up in Recommendations.  Rush over to read Chapters 28-30, and find out the answer to the question, "What's wrong with Kitty"? 

We're back with more of Shemmelle's delightful treat of a P&P spinoff, Marriage is a Mistake (Every Man Should Make)!  Check out Recommendations to read Chapters 10-15, and don't forget to leave Shemmelle some love in her comments thread!

This is IT folks!  The final, absolute ending of Tracey's modern Canadian P&P is here and has just been posted!  Rush on over to Recommendations to read Chapter 24 of Action and Reaction and please let Tracey know how much you enjoyed it!!  Thank you Tracey for sharing this story with us!

More story goodness ~ Chapters 25-27 of Shemmelle's provocative To Bear is to Conquer our Fate, and Chapters 7-9 of her hilarious Marriage is a Mistake (Every Man Should Make) have just been posted in Recommendations!

My tail feathers are wiggling in delight ~ I've just finished reading Chapter Ten of Lisa L's Mr. Popularity. To quote Delarango, 'I think I need a drink!' Have a Pond Boy serve up your favorite thirst-quencher and enjoy a great weekend read! 

~Story Updates for April~

Oh my aching wings! The lovely authors are keeping my beak to the grindstone lately -- the excitement never stops!  Rush over to Recommendations to read the exciting Chapter Twenty-three Part Two of Tracey's satisfying Action and Reaction -- just don't break any furniture on the way!

The excitement keeps on building!  Yes, time for another long-lost story update!  The duckie is pleased as pickles to announce the continuation of Jacqui's romantic A Constructive Summer, with Part Nine posted this minute in Recommendations!  Hurry over, and then don't forget to leave our authors some love in their comments threads! 

Did ya guess?  Did ya?  Did ya?  (another little clue there, duckies)

It's here -- the long anticipated and wonderfully exciting first part of Tracey's penultimate chapter of Action and Reaction!!!  This duckie is twirling with excitement.  Rush on over and read the latest, it won't disappoint.  And, dare I say there may be more to come and sooner rather than later! 

Dare I tease you some more?  There is more construction to come ... watch this space! 

We're baaaaaaack.....!  

The duckie is thrilled to announce not only two new updates on Shemmelle's stories, but many more to come, and on some stories you've all gotten used to wondering about!  (Shhhhh it's a secret, but there's lots of action and excitement around here over our long-lost but soon to be returned story updates and other things we've got under construction!) 

*peeks from behind reeds, waving prettily*

To kick things off, run to Recommendations and enjoy Chapters 4-6 of Shemmelle's hilarious Marriage is a Mistake (Every Man Should Make), and Chapters 22-24 of her unbelievable To Bear is to Conquer our Fate!!

And ... stay tuned for more updates and new features for April and May!

~New Story Recommendation!~

The duckie is delighted to announce a new story recommendation from Shemmelle, a madcap and hilarious "what if" sequel to P&P set in the Regency period, called Marriage is a Mistake (Every Man Should Make).  Please join us in thanking Shemmelle for sharing this story with us!  Chapters 1-3 are posted in Recommendations, with more to follow weekly.  Enjoy!

~Story updates for March~

Chapters 19-21 of Shemmelle's To Bear is to Conquer our Fate have just been posted in Recommendations!

Congratulations to Sofie, author of Time of the Season, on completing her story with Chapter 15, posted in Recommendations today!  Thank you Sofie for sharing this delightful story with us!

 Commenting Policy -- Please, read and remember!

 It has come to the attention of the Moderators and Administrators that some of our commentors, particularly the blog commentors, appear to have lost sight of Firthness's policy.  Therefore, I'd like to reiterate it here:

Our general posting policy is this:

Please remember that when you post, in speaking for yourself, the tone of your remarks reflects on and impacts within this community. And while we take no point of liability in any comment a member may make, nor concede that any specific member view reflects that of the administration, it is our intent to foster a community that is tolerant and respectful.

The members of Firthness and Darcyfic have developed an admirable tradition of behaving with both tolerance and respect towards the site, the mailing list, their fellow members, and the Jane Austen community as a whole. We have had very few problems with inappropriate behavior and salute our fellow Firthlings for helping us make Firthness a great place to visit.

and, this is our published comment policy:

... comments should ultimately be left in a positive spirit. If you have any issue about an author's story that has upset you and you feel you must discuss it, please email the author privately. Posts that flame will be deleted and the Administrators will contact the poster.

As Joanie says, 'Remember, Authors LOVE comments; they are the food that keeps us thriving as writers, so feed us well and often!'

~Story updates for February ~

Chapters 16-18 of Shemmelle's To Bear is to Conquer Our Fate, and Chapter 14 of Sofie's Time of the Season have just been posted in Recommendations!   Enjoy and as always - don't forget to leave our authors a message, either in the story blogs or the forums!

Sharla has posted Chapter 33, part 1 of The Luxury Gap on her site, accessible through her author page in Firthness Authors!

Susan K has just uploaded Chapters 17 and 18 of For You Alone ..., as well as Chapters 15 and 16, in Recommendations!  This completes this delightful take on Persuasion from Captain Wentworth's point of view.  Congratulations to Susan on completing this story, and thank you for sharing it with us!  Please remember to leave a comment for SusanK.

~Older News~

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! We have a lot of surprises in store for you this first day of 2008!

First, a little theme reading ~ rush on over to Challenges for five delightful little New Year's Eve stories from our 2005 New Year's Writer's Challenge!

Next, we have new chapters for two of our newest Recommendations ~ Chapters 5 and 6 of Sofie's Time of the Season and Chapters 2 and 3 of Shemmelle's To Bear is to Conquer our Fate have just been posted ~ thanks Sofie and Shem!

And finally, the duckie is tickled pink to announce a brand new FIRTHNESS EXCLUSIVE story from our own Grace!  Read Chapter One of Lawyers & Liaisons, a sizzling modern P&P set in the world of trial lawyers, on Grace's author page!  Thank you Grace!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FIRTHLINGS!!

The duckie is absolutely thrilled to announce the following gifts for the holidays!  First, just in time for Christmas, we have two new recommended authors! 

First, please welcome Shemmelle, author of the daring and delightful To Bear is to Conquer our Fate, a Pride & Prejudice what-if that takes place shortly after the Netherfield Ball, when during an innocent walk the lives of Mr. Darcy and a certain lady from Longbourn are changed forever!

Also please welcome Pamela Aiden, author of the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman series.  Pamela is back at Firthness as a recommended author with a brand new story series entitled Young Master Darcy, which follows Darcy from his formative years and asks the question, just how did he become the man for whom Elizabeth was "not handsome enough to tempt me"?  

Both Shem's and Pamela's stories can be read by clicking on Recommendations.

But that's not all!  your feathered friend can hardly contain her pleasure in this next announcement.  Clare has graciously agreed to become Firthness' newest Administrator!  Clare is a long-time member and moderator who loves Jane Austen fanfiction more than anyone else we know!  Please join us in welcoming Clare, we know she will be a tremendous addition to the admin team!

What a bundle of gifts, just in time for Christmas!  Dig in and enjoy, and be sure to let our authors and our new administrator know how much you appreciate them!  

Holiday Break ~ Her Quackness will be taking a short holiday starting tomorrow, but never fear, there will be more new stories and updates for New Year's!   All of us at Firthness wish you all a safe and happy holiday and new year!

More Recent updates ~

Chapter 9 of Lisa L's very popular Mr. Popularity has just been posted on Lisa's Author page!  Check it out!!

Part Seven of Rachael's Snapshots, Christmas ~ which is also the end of this delightful story ~ has just been posted in Recommendations!

Brand New Stories for December!!

The duckie is thrilled to announce the first of our new Recommendations!  Sofie has graciously allowed us to post Time of the Season, the story that inspired her delightful Birthday Savoury vignette, An Evening at the Rose and Ring.  Time of the Season is a modern day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that takes place on Vancouver Island. Darcy is an inspector for the Federal Horticulture Agency and Elizabeth is a nursery manager. They meet under inauspicious circumstances at the height of a plant disease scare. Regulation of the plant disease, and the subsequent certification program, keeps them in contact and at loggerheads.  Chapter One is posted in Recommendations.  Enjoy Firthlings, and thanks to Sofie!

~ Also ~  

Snapshots~Part V, Winter and Part VI, December ~ Rachael's sequel to What We Did On Our Holidays and comprising Year Two of the Darcy's marriage, has been posted in Recommendations!

At Firthness we adhere to the author's right to control their stories.  Recent events have brought to our attention the need to spell out a firm site policy that reiterates our full author support as it relates to accessing stories or versions of stories that have been pulled by the author.  We are ever grateful that so many talented individuals have agreed to allow us to post their work on our site.  However, periodically an author will chose to remove a story, or group of stories, or sadly, even an entire body of work, from Firthness.  We are never happy when this happens, but we respect the wishes of those authors and remove access to the stories to the best of our ability.  It is strictly against Firthness policy to distribute a story that has been removed from our board.

As most of the web savvy among you know, there are ways and means to access old stories including websites and search engines that assist in locating older archived copies or distributing saved copies against authors' wishes.  However, Firthness does not condone these methods as the fact that these things are possible does not make it right that they be done.  Many times saved copies have been distributed without ever asking the author's permission. If you have a saved copy and want to give it to someone else, you should ask the author's permission first. If the author cannot be contacted, Firthness's policy is not to give it out, however much another person may want to read the story.

Any discussion of search methods or distributing stories amongst members on the Firthness boards violates this Author Support Policy.   In compliance with this policy, any and all posts relating to accessing stories which were removed by the author's request, and/or any requests for e-mailing removed stories will be deleted by the mods and admins.

No Hotlinking Policy:

Another “netiquette” issue has reared its lovely little head, and that is hotlinking.  What, you ask, is hotlinking? Simply stated hotlinking is copying the location, or url, of an image hosted on one site (by right clicking, usually) and posting that image directly to another site using [ img ] and [ /img] (no spaces) around the url.

Why is this an issue?  Well, mostly because it uses bandwidth -- which many sites either pay for, or have only a limited amount of.  Hotlinking to images is the equivalent of “stealing” bandwidth from the original site and can cost them money or result in their losing access to their sites for exceeding their bandwidth.  It’s sort of like wiring to your neighbor’s house so you can use his electricity or cable tv service for free.  While hotlinking is possible -- and often entirely unintentional -- it is not ethical, and shouldn’t be done.  Firthness's policy is against hotlinking images.

So, you ask, what do you do instead of hotlinking if you want to put up that oh-so delicious image of CF or MM or Lyme Park or the wilds of the Peak District?  It is still just a few simple steps:  first, download the image from Site X to your own harddrive, then upload it to a free photo hosting site (such as Photobucket).  Now you place the image on Firthness, without violating policy.  Another possibility is simply to post a link to the site where you found the wonderful photo with a site credit, so that members who are interested may go there to view it.

So – the upshot of the new No Hotlinking Policy is this:  moving forward, we will require all members to follow the procedure above to post pictures.  If you have hotlinked any images here in the past, please take the time to go back and remove them.  Beginning June 1, 2007, we will be removing all old posts that contain hotlinked images.

Should you have any questions about these new policies, please don't hesitate to contact either the mods -- or admins -- .

Thanks for helping us be a “Good Net Neighbor”!