"Starlight" Fandom Joy

Submitted into Contest #190 in response to: Write a story about a fandom... view prompt

6 comments

Creative Nonfiction Friendship Happy

Emily had been a fan of the "Starlight" book series since she was a teenager. She had grown up with the characters, eagerly awaiting each new installment, attending book signings and conventions, and even cosplaying as her favorite character, Nova.

As an adult, Emily had a demanding job that left her little time for hobbies, but she always made time for "Starlight." So, when she heard that the author, Samantha Rose, was going to be attending a local convention, she knew she had to go.

Emily arrived at the convention center early, waiting in line with other fans who were just as excited as she was. When the doors finally opened, she rushed to the panel room where Samantha Rose was scheduled to speak. The room was already packed with people, so Emily sat on the floor at the back, her heart racing with anticipation.

Samantha Rose took the stage, and the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. She talked about the inspiration behind the series, the challenges she had faced while writing it, and what was in store for the characters in the next book. Emily listened intently, feeling like she was in a room full of kindred spirits.

After the panel, Emily headed to the autograph line, where she met several other fans who had become her friends over the years. They talked about their favorite moments from the series, shared theories about what would happen next, and took pictures with their favorite author.

As Emily walked out of the convention center, she felt grateful for the fandom that had brought her so much joy and fulfillment. She realized that it wasn't just about the books or the author, but about the community of people who shared her love for the series. And she knew that no matter where life took her, she would always be a proud member of the "Starlight" fandom.

As Emily left the convention, she couldn't shake the feeling of excitement that was coursing through her veins. She had met so many amazing people at the event, and had felt a sense of belonging that she had never experienced before. It was as if she had finally found her tribe, the people who understood her on a deep level.

Over the next few weeks, Emily threw herself into the "Starlight" fandom with even more enthusiasm than before. She joined online forums and social media groups dedicated to the series, engaging in conversations with fans from all over the world. She even started writing fan fiction, imagining alternate endings to the stories she loved so much.

One day, while scrolling through a "Starlight" Facebook group, Emily came across a post from a fan who was organizing a cosplay event in her city. Emily had never cosplayed outside of conventions before, but she felt a sudden burst of excitement at the thought of dressing up as her favorite character and joining other fans for a day of fun.

She messaged the organizer of the event, a woman named Sophie, and asked if she could join. Sophie was thrilled to have her, and they quickly became friends, bonding over their shared love of the series.

Emily spent the next few weeks working on her cosplay, meticulously crafting every detail to ensure it was perfect. She sewed a replica of Nova's black and silver jumpsuit, fashioned a pair of wings out of wire and feathers, and even painted her nails to match the character's signature colors.

On the day of the event, Emily arrived at the park where it was being held, feeling nervous but excited. She looked around and saw dozens of other fans, all dressed in elaborate costumes that were both impressive and creative. There were people dressed as the main characters, as well as secondary characters and even some of the creatures that appeared in the series.

As the day went on, Emily had the time of her life. She took pictures with other fans, joined in on impromptu sing-alongs of the series' theme song, and even participated in a cosplay competition. She felt a sense of camaraderie with the other fans, as if they were all part of a secret club that only they knew about.

At the end of the day, as the sun began to set and the other fans started to pack up their things, Emily felt a twinge of sadness. She didn't want the day to end, and she didn't want to say goodbye to her new friends. But as she was walking back to her car, she heard someone call out her name.

She turned around and saw Sophie running towards her, a huge smile on her face. "Hey, I wanted to give you this," she said, holding out a small envelope.

Emily opened it and found a handwritten note inside. "Thank you for coming today," it read. "I'm so glad we met. Let's keep in touch."

Emily felt her eyes welling up with tears. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to her. She hugged Sophie tightly, feeling grateful for the community that had brought them together.

Over the next few months, Emily became even more involved in the "Starlight" fandom. She attended more events, participated in more online conversations, and even started a podcast with some other fans to discuss the series in depth.

It was during one of these podcast episodes that Emily received a message from Samantha Rose herself. She couldn't believe it when she saw the author's name pop up on her screen, and she felt her heart racing with excitement.

"Hi Emily," the message read. "I just wanted to say that I've been listening to your podcast, and I'm blown away by your insights and your passion for the series. I never imagined that my work would have such an impact on people, and it means the world to me to see how much it has resonated with you and your fellow fans."

Emily couldn't believe her ears. The author of her favorite book series had not only listened to her podcast, but was reaching out to her personally. She responded with a message thanking Samantha Rose for creating the characters and the world that had brought her so much joy over the years.

To her surprise, Samantha Rose asked if she would be interested in meeting in person to discuss the series further. Emily was thrilled, and they arranged to meet at a coffee shop in the city where Samantha lived.

When Emily arrived at the coffee shop, she saw Samantha Rose sitting at a table in the back. The author was even more beautiful in person than she had imagined, with long brown hair and piercing blue eyes. She smiled warmly as Emily approached, and they shook hands.

For the next few hours, they talked about the series in depth, discussing everything from the characters' motivations to the symbolism in the story. Emily felt like she was in a dream, as if she had been transported into the world of "Starlight" itself.

As they were saying goodbye, Samantha Rose handed Emily a manuscript. "This is the first chapter of the next book in the series," she said. "I wanted you to be the first person to read it."

Emily felt tears prick at her eyes as she held the manuscript in her hands. It was an incredible honor to be trusted with such a precious piece of work, and she promised Samantha Rose that she would read it carefully and provide feedback.

Over the next few weeks, Emily poured over the manuscript, scribbling notes in the margins and marveling at the twists and turns in the story. She felt honored to be one of the first people to experience the next chapter in the "Starlight" saga.

When the book was finally released a few months later, Emily devoured it in a single sitting. She was amazed at how closely her feedback had been incorporated into the final product, and how the story had exceeded her wildest expectations.

As she closed the book, Emily realized that the "Starlight" fandom had given her so much more than just a love for a book series. It had given her a sense of community, of belonging, and of purpose. It had connected her with people from all over the world who shared her passions and her values.

And as she looked forward to the next installment in the series, Emily knew that she would always be a proud member of the "Starlight" fandom, and that it would always hold a special place in her heart.

March 17, 2023 22:40

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6 comments

Roxanne Blight
13:08 Mar 30, 2023

The story reminds me of someone being a “Trekkie” but I could not decipher why these books and their characters were so attractive, so entitled to Fandom. Instead it seemed to be a story about the events and people involved in being a fan, which is fine but still doesn’t explain the “why” they would be so attracted to this series.

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18:34 Mar 30, 2023

Thanks this a fandom.

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Alexandra Krop
20:20 Mar 25, 2023

Hi Felicia, What a truly heartwarming story! I loved reading about Emily's deep connection to this fandom—I've never been that closely connected to a fandom before, but your story is making me jealous of that experience! I have to assume that you've shared in some of your character's experiences because your attention to detail is delightful to read. If you were looking to revise this story, I would suggest putting some focus on "showing, not telling"—I know everyone's heard it a thousand times before, but it's such great advice. I've be...

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18:36 Mar 30, 2023

Thanks this was first fandom.

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Marty B
20:07 Mar 25, 2023

Everyone needs a community! 'It had given her a sense of community, of belonging, and of purpose. It had connected her with people from all over the world who shared her passions and her values.'

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18:36 Mar 30, 2023

Thanks

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