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INTRO FROM KATHYB:

Greetings, FoLCs! The 2000 L&C Fanfic Kerth Awards were a rousing success! We had 76 people join us for the ceremony and the chat. What a fun time! The IRC gods were not with us, and we encountered not one, not two, but THREE major netsplits. But we muddled through, and everyone seemed to have a great time. :)

For those of you who missed it, I am posting a copy of the Ceremony log. I have edited it to remove the sounds and the comings and goings. What you have left is some wonderful acceptance speeches by our winners, and equally great introductions by our presenters. (And some fun banter from the three co-emcees. :)) Oh, and let's not forget those hilarious commercials, done in true L&C style.) So here we go ...

______________

Session Start: Sat Mar 25 17:34:39 2000

*** Now talking in #kerthawards

*** KathyB changes topic to 'Welcome to the 3rd Annual Kerth Awards!!

This channel is moderated. Please join us on #kerthchat to socialize. '

<ChiefPam> Hello & welcome to the third annual Kerth Awards, where we try to repay a little of the enjoyment that fantastic authors have given us all year long. 1999 was a banner year for fanfic, with over 300 stories published.

<ChiefPam> There were so many good stories, in fact, that we weren't able to recognize them all, even in our nominee list. But the best and most popular are gathered here, and we're about to find out who won what!

<ChiefPam> We also have a new feature this year ... during the evening, we'll be playing short excerpts from all the "Best Overall Story" nominees, to remind us of what made them great. And now, let's get this show started!

<ChiefPam> Our first category is Best Comedy, and here to say a few words about it is Alexis :)

<LoisLane> Before I present the award for Best Comedy, [ Very Long Lag ... not a good way to start out the evening! ]

<ChiefPam> Now, Alexis, please don't tell us about your political causes <g> Just wear the little colored ribbon <g>

<ChiefPam> Okay, apparently Alexis is lagged...

<AMCiotola> Since Alexis seems to be a bit lagged, I'l step in with the nominations for Best Comedy:

<AMCiotola> The Costume by Tank Wilson

<AMCiotola> Duo Inferno by Bella

<AMCiotola> Lessons by Pam Jernigan

<AMCiotola> Oh, Mann! by Karen Ward

<AMCiotola> and

<AMCiotola> A Secret Identity by Tank Wilson

<AMCiotola> And the winner is:

<AMCiotola> Lessons by Pam Jernigan

<AMCiotola> Congrats, Pam :)

<ChiefPam> Oh, man, you guys are nuts... there's no way this was the best one!!! But thank you! <g>

<ChiefPam> I never in a million years thought I'd win this one...

<ChiefPam> I'm amazed... all I can say is, thank you ... and thanks to all the awesome writers involved in Season 6, who gave me the idea :)

[ Major netsplit ]

<KathyB> We're going to commercial while we wait for more people to come back. :) Sit tight, everyone!

[ L&C Wavs played ]

<KathyB> Sorry for those technical difficulties ... I get someone forgot to pay off the IRC gods!

<ELK> LOL Kathy

<KathyB> The next category to be presented is Best Vignette/Short Story

<KathyB> and to present the nominees and winner, we have Anita! Take it away Anita!

<KathyB> Well, Anita seems to have gone the way of the lag monster ...

<KathyB> So I'll jump in

<KathyB> The nominees for Best Vignette/Short Story are ...

<KathyB> Au Revoir and Not Goodbye by Chris Carr

<KathyB> The Child Who Fell From the Sky by Chris Mulder

<KathyB> Dance of the Seven Veils by Erin Klingler

<KathyB> Navigating Denial by Zoomway

<KathyB> and

<KathyB> A Time to Adjust by Lara Blasingame

<KathyB> And the winner is ....

<KathyB> Navigating Denial by Zoomway !!!!!

<KathyB> Zoom seems to be lagged as well ... this is not a good night for the Kerth awards!

<ELK> okay, let's all leave and come back for this tomorrow <vbg>

<KathyB> LOL, we might have better luck!

<ELK> everyone hang with us here a second

<zoomway> thanks everyone, sorry for the lag and delay

<zoomway> I don't know how long ago this was even announced because I was about 7 minutes behind everyone

<zoomway> I thank everyone, really, especially the person who found this story I'd forgotten about

<zoomway> thanks again, I'll go now <g>

<KathyB> Thank you Zoomway!

<KathyB> and congrats ...

<KathyB> Moving right along <sg>, the next category will be presented by someone who amazingly isn't lagged!

<KathyB> Here, to present the award for Best Waffy Story, is Chris P.

<chrispat> One of my favorite things about Lois and Clark was the way the writers and actors could take a scene and put so much emotion into it, generating a feeling you don't often get from TV or the movies. The word that was coined for this feeling was Waffy. (Warm and fuzzy) I really admire the fanfic writers who can also generate that feeling with their words.

<chrispat> The nominees for Best Waffy Story are:

<chrispat> The Best Bargain/Counting the Ways by Chris Carr

<chrispat> Blanket Friends by Shawn V.

<chrispat> La Recherche Du Dayzs Perdu by Menolly

<chrispat> Through the Years by Erin Klingler

<chrispat> and A True Partnership by Kathy Brown

<chrispat> And the winner is......

<chrispat> A True Partnership by Kathy Brown

<ChiefPam> Yay!!

<chrispat> Congrats, Kathy!!!!

<KathyB> Thank you everyone!

<KathyB> I'm very honored to be receiving this award, and especially honored that no one else has split. <g>

<KathyB> Thanks for everyone who read the story and gave me such great feedback. I love being a FoLC. :)

<ChiefPam> So do we all, Kathy :)

<ChiefPam> Our next category is Best Dramatic story...

<ChiefPam> And here to present the award, is Kara :)

<KassJ> The stories in the Best Dramatic category are those that touch us in some soul-altering way. These are the stories that provide us with a glimpse into the real and everyday world of Lois and Clark- not just peeks onto the superficial surface. I offer my congratulations to all of the nominees, who are(in no particular order) :

<KassJ> Caped Fear by Labrat

<KassJ> Heliophobia by Yvonne Connell

<KassJ> Nightmare on Hyperion Avenue by Karen Ward

<KassJ> Recognition: The Only Way by C. C. Malo

<KassJ> and

<KassJ> Redemption by Irene Dutch

<KassJ> May I have the envelope please?

<KassJ> thanks.

<KassJ> the winner is:

<KassJ> Caped Fear by LabRat

<KassJ> congrats :)

<KathyB> Yay, LabRat! Doc Klein would be so proud :)

<Kaethel> um, Labby's not here?

<ChiefPam> Not unless she's invisible :)

<KathyB> you're up, Helene :)

<Kaethel> okay, then, I know she'd like to thank everyone who voted for her

<Kaethel> and she'd probably want to thank her editors and betareaders

<Kaethel> especially Kath Roden and Becky Bain

<Kaethel> and we wish she'd be here to say that herself

<Kaethel> thanks for her, everyone :)

<ChiefPam> Hopefully she'll get back with us soon...

<ChiefPam> Okay, it's time now for our first commercial break...

<KathyB> Our first regularly scheduled commericial break. <vbg>

<ChiefPam> If you're going to Netsplit, I suppose this would be the time to do it... <g> but we'd rather not

<ChiefPam> On our way out, let's enjoy our first "Best Overall" excerpt.... coincidentally enough, from "Caped Fear" by LabRat! <g>

<ChiefPam> Wendy was kind enough to help me out with these :) and we've got a short bit from the climactic bridge scene...

<ChiefPam> He tightened his grip...if she didn't stop she was going to take them over...

<ChiefPam> ...over the edge.

<ChiefPam> ...and it was then that Clark saw the bright flashing exit sign blink on in his head.

<ChiefPam> The way out.

<ChiefPam> What Lois needed, what they both needed, was Superman. It was clear to him now that she was never going to be persuaded to come down voluntarily and he couldn't force her safely off the bridge without a lot of questions being asked as to how he managed to manhandle a furiously struggling, panic-stricken woman down to the ground without taking them both over the edge.

<ChiefPam> Superman was the only way out. He turned his head, glancing back across his shoulder and down into the thick, choppy darkness of the water, far below. And for Superman to appear on the scene, Clark had to vanish.

<ChiefPam> In an instant, he found his escape route.

<ChiefPam> <<<

<ChiefPam> **** commercial time! :-) Stay Tuned, we'll be Right Back (god willing and the net doesn't split!)

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<ChiefPam> (I know that commercial's a bit different, but Thugor made me an offer I couldn't refuse ;)

<ChiefPam> Okay, now we have another "Best Overall" excerpt :)

<ChiefPam> This one is from Fear of Discovery 2: Nowhere to Hide, by Yvonne Connell. Here, we find the alt-world Superman struggling in the wake of a personal tragedy.

<ChiefPam> He froze at the sight in front of him. Backing away, he whispered, "I'm sorry."

<ChiefPam> He turned away and pushed his way blindly through the knot of rescue workers.

<ChiefPam> "Superman, what's the problem?" asked one of them.

<ChiefPam> A concerned and puzzled face looked up at him as he turned numbly.

<ChiefPam> "I'm sorry," he repeated. "I can't...can't do this. I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore."

<ChiefPam> He took off into the sky, ignoring the shouts from below.

<ChiefPam> "Superman! Where are you going? We still need you!"

<ChiefPam> He flew fast, desperately fast, trying to exorcise the image burned onto his memory. The blond hair, long and curly, only partly obscuring the gash in her forehead and the blood running down one side of her face. The eyes as her face turned towards him, not dead and lifeless like before, but frightened and pleading. The dark stains on the car seat, on her clothes.

<ChiefPam> He flew aimlessly into the thin atmosphere above the clouds, circling the earth, criss-crossing the skies, flying into darkness and oblivion.

<ChiefPam> <<<

<KathyB> Thank you, everyone ... I'm glad to see more people are back from the split

<KathyB> Hopefuly we've solved our problem now

<KathyB> It turns out the payment to the IRC gods was sent by Roadway ... and it was just found in the same warehouse as the stolen Oscar statues ;)

<KathyB> Now, to present our next category, Best Revelation, is ErinFoLC. Take it away, Erin.

<ErinFoLC> Hello everyone, and welcome to the ceremony! Before I present my award, I would like to thank everyone that came here tonight to show their support to the writers. You guys (and girls) are the best!

<ErinFoLC> Now, on to the award for Best Revelation. A Revelation FanFic is when Lois, or any other character, finds out Clark's secret - he's Superman!

<ErinFoLC> The nominees are -

<ErinFoLC> A Conscious Choice by Wendy Richards

<ErinFoLC> Dark Revelation by Tank Wilson

<ErinFoLC> It Happened One (Super) Night by Wendy Richards

<ErinFoLC> Sugar & Spice by LabRat

<ErinFoLC> To Wake From a Dream by Mobile Richard

<ErinFoLC> Ultramatum by Zoomway

<ErinFoLC> and the winner is..

<ErinFoLC> It Happened One (Super) Night by Wendy Richards

* Wendymr has just fainted

<Wendymr> uh....

<ErinFoLC> Congrats Wendy :-)

<Wendymr> sorry everyone, I never expected this....

<Wendymr> I'm stunned!

<Wendymr> Thanks to everyone who voted for me

<Wendymr> and thanks ESPECIALLY to Sheila H and Nancy M who edited this for me

* Wendymr goes to cool down!

<KathyB> Congrats Wendy!

<KathyB> And now, to present our next category, Best Episode Adaptation, is Melisma. Mel?

<melisma> Lois and Clark are skilled at asking these sorts of "what if" questions - that's what makes them Kerth Award winning investigative journalists. They often uncover huge stories by thinking along unusual lines.

<melisma> But Lois and Clark are not alone in this. Here tonight we have fanfic authors who are just as skilled at weaving tales based on a simple twist of fate that alters the events of an episode a little bit. And we readers get to enjoy finding out what the repercussions of that change are.

<melisma> The number of stories eligible to be nominated in the category of Best Episode Adaptation this year was very impressive. But you, the readers, made a tough call and you chose the following five stories:

<melisma> Blind Leading the Blind, by Pam Jernigan

<melisma> Forever Obsessed, by Judith Tylke

<melisma> The Healing Time, by Wendy Richards

<melisma> The Mirror Crack'd, by Hazel

<melisma> Shaken Not Stirred, by Irene Dutch

<melisma> and

<melisma> So . . . That's What You've Been Hiding by Chris Carr

<melisma> A very tough call indeed! These are all excellent stories - how can you choose one over the other? But we did, so without any more babbling...

<melisma> may i have the envelope please?

<melisma> And the winner is...

<melisma> The Healing Time by Wendy Richards

<melisma> congratulations wendy!!!!!

<AMCiotola> YAY!!!

<KathyB> Gee, we could have just kept her voiced <bg>

<Wendymr> you're joking

<DawnF> Didn't want to give it away ;)

<Wendymr> sorry, didn't know whether I was voiced

<Wendymr> Uhhh... I totally expected Chris to win this, and I'm still slack-jawed

<ChiefPam> Recount! <g>

<Wendymr> thanks to everyone who voted for me

<Wendymr> and also thanks to all the readers on Zoom's message boards

* KathyB picks up Wendy's jaw and hands it back to her

<ChiefPam> Just kidding, Wendy <g>

<Wendymr> You are all fantastic!

<Wendymr> Thank you!

<Wendymr> Can I faint now?

* KathyB wheels out a stretcher. Go for it! :)

<ELK> LOL

<KathyB> Now fortunately for Wendy, she is not nominated in the next category, so she can recover <bg>

<KathyB> Next up, to present the award for Best Round Robin, is Molly. Take it away, Molly.

<muffyslay> These five nominees are most definitely examples of how FOLCs can come together and create something super. And the nominees for Best Round Robin are . . .

<muffyslay> Forever Young by German L&C Team

<muffyslay> Fully Functional by IRC team

<muffyslay> Heartache Tonight by German L&C Team

<muffyslay> Love Me Tender by IRC team

<muffyslay> and

<muffyslay> Myxed Signals by IRC team!!

<muffyslay> And the winner is: Heartache Tonight, by German L&C Team!!

<ChiefPam> Go, Nicky! :)

<CKgroupie> This is so amazing! We're completey stunned and I hardly know what to say!

<CKgroupie> We're very honored to accept the award for this category. Writing Round Robins is a very special and gratifying experience of Folcdom and we love it!

<CKgroupie> Thanks to everyone who voted for us and a special thank you to our editors!

<CKgroupie> and now *I'm* going to faint

<KathyB> Thank you, Nicole, and congrats to your entire team.

<KathyB> and to present our final award of this segment (but not of the night!) is our very own co-Kerth-MC (and my co-S6 coordinator!), Pam Jernigan!

<ChiefPam> Thanks, Kathy! :)

<ChiefPam> When Lois & Clark went off the air after four seasons, we fans refused to let it die. Several "fifth" seasons sprang up ... and one of them even spawned a sixth season

<ChiefPam> It was an abbreviated season, with only 14 episodes... but what they lacked in quantity, they more than made up in quality

<ChiefPam> I felt very fortunate to be part of it! :)

<ChiefPam> So, the nominees for Best Season 6 episode are:

<ChiefPam> Fatal Attraction by Kathy Brown

<ChiefPam> Hypergirl by Crystal Wimmer

<ChiefPam> Labyrinth/Preparations/Stronger Than Me Alone by Phil Atcliffe

<ChiefPam> Movers and Shakers by Nancy Merckle and Kathy Brown

<ChiefPam> and Turn Around/Walk in My Shoes/Mirror, Mirror by Sheila Harper

<ChiefPam> and the winner is....

<ChiefPam> Turn Around/Walk in My Shoes/Mirror, Mirror by Sheila Harper !!!!!

<ChiefPam> Congrats Sheila!!

* sheilah totters onto the stage

<sheilah> Ummm...I thought Phil had this one locked up, so I'm pretty speechless.

<sheilah> Thank you, everyone who voted for my story.

<sheilah> I wanted to write it back when L&C was back on--and found out that Tim was writing IGYUMS at the same time.

<sheilah> So I put it aside, but it was too good an idea to let lie.

<sheilah> Thanks again, everyone.

<ChiefPam> You deserved it, Sheila :)

<ChiefPam> And now it's commercial time again ... smoke 'em if you've got 'em! ;)

<ChiefPam> Our third "Best Overall" excerpt is from "The Healing Time" by Wendy Richards. After nearly marrying Lex Luthor and watching him die, Lois has a hard time regaining her equilibrium.

<ChiefPam> [Clark had] realised that Lois was bound to be hurting, but he had allowed himself to believe her assertions on the phone that she was okay. Clearly she had been lying. And more seriously, she was in a far worse emotional state than he could have envisaged.

<ChiefPam> It was tempting to go to her and offer his friendship and support, to insist on driving her home and being there if she wanted to talk. But she'd resisted his overtures in that direction so far: why would she change now? It occurred to him after a moment's reflection that sympathy wasn't what she would respond to at the moment.

<ChiefPam> He knew Lois Lane well enough to understand that she would reject any such overtures, seeing them as pity. No, he needed to try a different tack....

<ChiefPam> Clark strolled purposefully towards Lois's desk and perched on the edge, watching her stuff her belongings into her bag. "Going somewhere, Lois? It's a little early to be knocking off," he observed casually but with a faintly sarcastic edge to his voice.

<ChiefPam> She turned to glance at him, clearly surprised by his tone. "I'm going home," she told him abruptly.

<ChiefPam> "Home?" He favoured her with a sceptical glance. "Excuse me, but are you sure you're really Lois Lane? Because, you know, the Lois I've known for the past year would never just pack up and go home in the middle of the day like this, especially not after she came in late in the first place."

<ChiefPam> Lois glared at him, clearly regarding him as an irritating nuisance. "Look, Clark, it's really none of your business what I do."

<ChiefPam> He raised his eyebrows sharply in mock-amazement. "It isn't? Last I heard, we were partners."

<ChiefPam> She shrugged, deliberately turning away from him. "Well, things change, don't they?" Then, seeming to think better of her dismissive manner, she turned back to face him. "Look, Clark, you'd really be better off looking for another partner. I'm going to take a vacation, and I really don't know what I'll do when I get back.

<ChiefPam> I might even decide to take a career break, so...." She trailed off, deliberately leaving Clark to draw his own conclusions from her comment.

<ChiefPam> "A career break?" he repeated incredulously. Shaking his head, he continued, "No, you can't be Lois Lane. The Lois I know would barely agree to take a vacation, let alone a career break. You've got to be a fake. Unless...." he added, deliberately trailing off in an uncertain tone.

<ChiefPam> That got her attention. "Unless what?"

<ChiefPam> Clark smiled cruelly as he moved in for the kill. "Unless you've lost your nerve."

<ChiefPam> <<<

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<ELK> Okay! thanks, Pam. ;) Our next category is Best Alternate Universe Story, and to present it, here is Audrey. Take it away, Audrey!

<audo> Welcome back everyone. So now we come to the Kerth Award for Best Alternate Universe Story. Now, we all love our Lois and Clark, or else we probably wouldn't be here. But I have a confession to make. I am head over heals in love with the alternate Clark Kent.

<audo> From the moment he looked up in his newsroom to find a strange, yet strangely compelling, woman in his arms and kissing him, to his last goodbye to a man who had everything he had ever wanted, there was something about alt-Clark that I responded to. He was the same caring, kind, gorgeous J man as our Clark Kent, yet with harder edges, that tried to hide deeper vulnerabilities.

<audo> Unfortunately, we never got to see him find his Lois. At least, we didn't get to see an official version. What we did get, and for which we should consider ourselves very fortunate, was many wonderful versions of the alternate universe, where a lonely man with no secrets discovers that he doesn't have to be alone anymore.

<audo> Our nominees have given us several different versions of the alternate universe. Whether in a universe strangely similar to our own, one a little darker, or which more closely mirrors the episodes "Tempus, Anyone" and "Lois and Clarks", the only limits were imagination and talent. And these nominated authors clearly lacked neither. Without further ado, the nominees for Best Alternate Universe Story are:

<audo> Big Boys Do Fly/Big Boys Do Fly II: Close Encounter/Big Boys Do Fly III: Torn Between Two Worlds by Wendy Richards

<audo> Fear of Discovery/Fear of Discovery II: Nowhere to Hide by Yvonne Connell

<audo> Life in a Different World/Life in a Different World, part 2: The Reluctant Superman by Mobile Richard

<audo> The Mirror Crack'd by Hazel

<audo> and Only You: Reality by Margaret Brignell

<audo> And the winner is:

<audo> this is soo exciting!

<audo> Life in a Different World/Life in a Different World, part 2: The Reluctant Superman by Mobile Richard

<audo> Congrats Mobile Richard!

<KathyB> Mobile Richard isn't here today, but I'm sure she will be very pleased to get this award. (And yes, from my understanding, she is a she. <bg>)

<KathyB> I love this universe, so let me add my congratuations to those of those scrolling on the chat channel at this very moment. :)

<KathyB> Back to you, Erin! :)

<ELK> Thanks, Kathy ;) The next category is Best Elseworld Story, and it will be presented by Claire. Claire?

<klair-El> As H.G. Wells the younger says to Clark in Soul Mates, "...the power of your love is what brings your souls together, time after time.

<klair-El> You see, that is the one absolute: Wherever she is, you are."

<klair-El> *Elseworld* stories show how different the 'bringing together' of these souls can be!

<klair-El> The year 2000 nominees for the catagory ***BEST ELSEWORLD*** ....Arrrre......

<klair-El> Alternate Beginnings by Chris H.

<klair-El> Heartache Tonight by German L&C Team

<klair-El> Just Like That/Being Lois Lane by Pam Jernigan

<klair-El> My Journal by Debby Stark

<klair-El> Strange Visitor From the Congo by Wendy Richards

<klair-El> Timeless by Becky Bain

<klair-El> And the ***Winner*** ...iiiissss.....

<klair-El> pause for drumroll...

<klair-El> the winner is: Strange Visitor From the Congo by Wendy Richards

<Wendymr> what?

* KathyB pulls out the stretcher again. ;)

<klair-El> congratulations, Wendy

<Wendymr> Ummm... Erin, are you sure you counted the votes right?

<Wendymr> I have to say here one HUGE thanks to Yvonne Connell, who

unfortunately got disconnected a while back

<Wendymr> If it wasn't for Yvonne, this story would never have got finished

<Wendymr> She forced me to finish it, nagged me and encouraged me until it was done

<Wendymr> So, Yvonne, half this award is for you!

<Wendymr> Thank you all, very much

<ELK> Thanks, Wendy ;) Tell your husband to get you some oxygen <g>

<ELK> Next up is Kathy R to present the award for Best Krypton/New Krypton Story

[Yet another major netsplit ...]

<AMCiotola> or a netsplit <g>

<ELK> LOL!

<KathyB> OUch

<ELK> okay, Kathy, you're up ;)

<KathR> It is my pleasure to introduce the Category of Best Krypton/New Krypton Story. When originally aired, the New Krypton Arc caused a physical separation that only served to strengthen the bond between Lois and Clark. Proving once again, that nothing could keep their love apart. The stories in this category are concerned with either Krypton or New Krypton.

<KathR> And now, the nominees...

<KathR> Universal Union - by Jenni Debbage

<KathR> What if I Never Left Krypton - by Dawn Field

<KathR> Come Back to Me - by Allison Forbes

<KathR> Power to Forgive - by Sharon Gilbert

<KathR> and Love Disabled - by Tank Wilson

<KathR> And the winner is...

<KathR> Universal Union - by Jenni Debbage

<DawnF> Congrats, Jenni!

<KathR> Congrats Jenni!

<jennidebb> Tnanks to everyone who voted for me.

<jennidebb> I didn't think this stood a chance as it was so different.

<jennidebb> All I can say is thank you to all those who encouraged me to post it.

<ELK> We're all glad you did, Jenni ;)

<ELK> Now, here is KathyB to present the award for Best Original Premise

<KathyB> Thanks, Erin

<KathyB> This category provided yet another opportunity for voters to tear their hair out while trying to decide which story to vote for.

<KathyB> All six of the nominated stories were so wonderful, and the choice was extremely difficult.

<KathyB> These six wonderful nominees are ...

<KathyB> Caped Fear by LabRat

<KathyB> Firestorm by Irene Dutch

<KathyB> Heliophobia by Yvonne Connell

<KathyB> The Penfriend by Wendy Richards

<KathyB> Strange Visitors by Ccmalo

<KathyB> and Timeless by Becky Bain

<KathyB> And the Kerth goes to ....

<KathyB> The Penfriend by Wendy Richards !!!

<Wendymr> I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS!!

<Wendymr> Ummm.... thank you again everyone

<Wendymr> And especially thanks to everyone on Zoom's message boards who followed this story and told me they liked it

<Wendymr> Now I'm REALLY going to faint!

<Wendymr> Thanks all!

<KathyB> Congrats Wendy :)

<ELK> Congratulations again, Wendy!

<ELK> It's now time to take a commercial break, and we have another excerpt from one of our Best Overall Story nominees

<ChiefPam> thanks, Erin :)

<ChiefPam> So, you guys tired of Wendy yet? <g> 'Cause the next excerpt is from "It Happened One (Super) Night"

<ChiefPam> At first, Clark couldn't feel anything, but then as he became accustomed to the shape of Lois's bump he thought that he could sense a tiny flutter beneath his hand. Looking up, and meeting Lois's eyes, he whispered, "It's... miraculous!"

<ChiefPam> Lois raised shining eyes to Clark's. "Isn't it? I've read things, you know, and heard other women talk about how they felt when they felt their baby move for the first time, but I never imagined it would be so... so *special*! Before, when I felt her, I wasn't sure... but this time she was definitely moving." She brought her own hand to her stomach, and Clark moved his other hand to cover hers.

<ChiefPam> They stayed like that for several minutes as the baby, evidently restless, moved and kicked a little more. Eventually realising that their position, with Clark kneeling in front of her chair in the middle of the Planet newsroom, could look extremely compromising, Lois gently pushed him away and stood up.

<ChiefPam> "Hey, come on, we can't stay here all night! And if anyone came in and saw us like this, no-one would believe this isn't your baby!"

<ChiefPam> <<<

<ChiefPam> Now a word from a new sponsor:

<ChiefPam> Do you want pictures, links, FanFic, info, quotes and MORE in your e-box every week? If you do, subscribe to the free e-zine, FoLC Planet! E-mail ErinFolC@aol.com to subscribe.

<ChiefPam> ***

<ChiefPam> Continuing our glimpses of "Best Overall" nominees, we have an excerpt from "Life in a Different World," by Mobile Richard. Our Clark finds himself in an alternate universe, where everything is so much darker than what he's used to...

<ChiefPam> Clark heard the sound of her locks turning stealthily. He shifted his weight in anticipation, wondering how she would react to him. How long was it before Superman's debut? Had he and Lois met yet? Had Clark Kent even arrived in Metropolis?

<ChiefPam> Lois quietly slid the chain on the door.

<ChiefPam> Although surprised at how furtively she had set about unlocking the door, he was totally unprepared for its abrupt opening, and for the knife thrust suddenly at his throat. "What are you doing here, Kent?" screamed Lois. "What did I tell you??? Stay away from me!!"

<ChiefPam> Clark flinched. "Lois, what...?"

<ChiefPam> "I said, GO AWAY, Kent!! I have 'friends!'" Lois advanced on him rapidly, wielding the knife expertly.

<ChiefPam> "T-take it easy, Lois," said Clark, backing away. "I'm not going to hurt you! I'm sorry if I scared you, but I really need to talk to you. Please."

<ChiefPam> "I said GO!" Lois glared at him while continuing to hold the knife at a menacing angle.

<ChiefPam> <<<

<ChiefPam> Now back to our program...

<ELK> Thanks Pam!

<ELK> Our next category is Best Villain Story, and here is Sheila to present the list of nominees and the winner. Sheila?

<sheilah> Most fanfic stories explore the relationship between Lois and Clark, and the stories in this category are no different; each one includes an excellent relationship plot. However, these five writers have gone beyond the usual to incorporate villains who pose real threats to Lois and Clark/Superman.

<sheilah> The villains I remember from the old Superman series were stupid, buffoonish louts, not worth the attention of a hero like Superman. And, although the villains on "Lois and Clark" had the advantage of technology that could challenge Superman, all too often, they were little more than cartoonish parodies.

<sheilah> Not so the villains in these stories. These villains are cruel, brilliant, and/or powerful, and their presence in the following stories is a formula for nail-biting suspense. They may drive our heroes to their knees, but by providing nearly insuperable challenges, such villains also showcase Lois's and Clark's intelligence, courage, and heroism.

<sheilah> Tonight I have the honor to present to you the five nominees for Best Villain Story:

<sheilah> "Labyrinth / Preparations / Stronger Than Me Alone," by Phil Atcliffe;

<sheilah> "Fear of Discovery / Nowhere to Hide," by Yvonne Connell;

<sheilah> "Recognition: The Only Way," by C.C. Malo;

<sheilah> "Strange Visitor From the Congo," by Wendy Richards;

<sheilah> and "Doppelganger," by Nan Smith.

<sheilah> May I have the envelope please?

<sheilah> And the winner of the Kerth award for the Best Villain story is Labyrinth/Preparations/Stronger Than Me Alone by Phil Atcliffe

<sheilah> Congratulations, Phil!

<ELK> Let's hear from Phil! Come on up here, Phil! ;)

<KathyB> Phil appears to be lagged, so we'll just give him a few minutes to get his thanks to the channel :)

<ChiefPam> he's lagging...

[Major netsplit number 3 ...]

<ELK> wow! let's sit tight a second, everyone

<KathyB> Phil has come back, just in time to give his acceptance speech! Go Phil!

<ChiefPam> Hey, Phil, make a speech <g>

<Phil-tMP> Thank you all -- and a <something> to the gods of fortune for that _so_ timely netsplit!

<Phil-tMP> I'd really like to thank all the S6 group.

<Phil-tMP> They were a great team to work with, and we had a heck of a lot of fun planning the finale and Luthor's ultimate demise

<ELK> LOL Phil

<Phil-tMP> They also let me be _really_ nasty... <eg>

<ChiefPam> When it comes to killing Lex Luthor, too much is never enough! <g>

<KathyB> LOL Phil; why in the world would we stiffle genius like yours? <g>

<Phil-tMP> So thanks again, and I'm truly honoured; a Kerth is an accolade from people whose opinion is something to treasure.

<ELK> Well, congratulations, Phil. It was much deserved ;)

<ELK> Our next category is Best Next Gen/Early Years Story, and to present this one is Dia. Come on up here, Dia! ;)

<KathyB> And unfortunately, Diyan doesn't seemed to have recovered from that nasty split a few minutes ago ... we'll give her a minute

<Diyan> Next Generation stories-- or perhaps Iíd better call them *Other* Gen stories-- are stories about Loisí and Clarkís kids. . . or their parents :)

<Diyan> The focus is usually taken off Lois and Clark, which can make this the hardest kind of story to write in a community of folcs who are used to reading and writing about these two characters. . .

<Diyan> . . .but it also opens up unlimited possibilities. I think I love Other Gen stories because the emphasize the timelessness of our story.

<Diyan> Our nominees are:

<Diyan> "Suffer the Little Children" by Jenni Debbage

<Diyan> "Firestorm" and "Starfire and Sunstorm" by Irene Dutch

<Diyan> "The Martha Chronicles I: the Martha Bums" by Christy

<Diyan> "My Almost Perfect Life" by Molly

<Diyan> "Coming of Age" and "Tempered by Fire" by Notrepooh

<Diyan> and "Navigating Denial" by Zoomway

<Diyan> and our winner is...

<Diyan> "Firestorm" and "Starfire and Sunstorm" by Irene Dutch!!!!

<Diyan> congratulations Irene

<IrenKarn> Thank you so much. I'm amazed and very grateful

<IrenKarn> I have to thank everyone who voted for me and my friends and wonderful helpers, Karen Ward, Wendy RIchards and Laurie. Thanks guys and thank you again

<ELK> Congratulations, Irene! ;)

<ELK> Now here's Dawn Field to present the award for Best Series. Dawn?

<DawnF> Thank you, Erin.

<DawnF> A series contains two or more parts, that together make a whole story. These parts can be enjoyed on their own, but together they form a complete picture.

<DawnF> The show utilized several series to continue a theme and create suspense. Writers use them in much the same way.

<DawnF> The nominees for Best Series are:

<DawnF> Dagger Series: Dagger of the Mind/Dagger's Edge/Assassin's Dagger by Nan

<DawnF> Smith

<DawnF> Firestorm/Starfire and Sunstorm by Irene Dutch

<DawnF> Jon Kent Series: Awakenings/Here We Go Again/Right on Time/The End of the

<DawnF> Beginning by Trevise

<DawnF> Just Like That/Being Lois Lane

<DawnF> by Pam Jernigan

<DawnF> Life in a Different World/Life in a Different World, part 2: The Reluctant

<DawnF> Superman by Mobile Richard

<DawnF> My Kent Series: The Master Race/Suffer the LittleChildren/Tears of a Clone

<DawnF> by Jenni Debbage

<DawnF> And the winner for Best Series is:

<DawnF> Firestorm/Starfire and Sunstorm by Irene !!!

<DawnF> Congrats, Irene!

<IrenKarn> Oh, my gosh! I can't believe it! Thank you so much, everyone. I am thrilled here. Karen had to pick me up off the floor!

<IrenKarn> I don't know what to say except - thanks!

<ELK> Nice to have that support system for when you need to be picked up off the floor <g>

<ChiefPam> I can attest that it's more fun to attend these things with friends! :-)

<ELK> Now we're off for one last break, with the final excerpt of the evening. Take it away, Pam ;)

<ChiefPam> Our next category is Best New Author, that I know you're all waiting eagerly for ... so naturally, we're going to commercial ;-)

<ChiefPam> Our final "Best Overall" excerpt for the night is from Sheila Harper's Season 6 trilogy.

<ChiefPam> "Lois and I were in an accident a couple of days ago."

<ChiefPam> "Lois and . . . you?" Jonathan repeated.

<ChiefPam> "Yeah." Clark glanced at his wife again. "I'm . . . Clark, and this is Lois. We were hit by a ray that . . . exchanged our bodies."

<ChiefPam> Martha had one hand to her mouth, and Jonathan was frowning behind his glasses. "Lois?" he asked tentatively.

<ChiefPam> Lois nodded. "He's right, Jonathan." She squeezed Clark's hand. "It's been a pretty horrible few days."

<ChiefPam> "But . . . how did this happen? Why haven't you gotten changed back?" Martha asked, bewildered.

<ChiefPam> Clark bent over to pick up Laura and kept his head down, blowing kisses with his daughter while Lois gave a short but complete account of what had happened during the past few days. But when his mother asked, "And how are you dealing with it?" he stood up and announced, "Laura needs to be changed," and fled upstairs.

<ChiefPam> "So, Lois ... what's the men's room like?" Martha asked.

<ChiefPam> <<<

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<ChiefPam> And now, back to our program.... and I know we're all very thankful to have gotten this far! I think this is the longest this ceremony has ever been!

<ChiefPam> Our Next-to-Last category is "Best New Author" -- and I for one am extremely pleased that we've had so very many eligibles here! New authors means lots of new fanfic for us all to love <g>

<ChiefPam> But I'm babbling...

<ChiefPam> Here to present the award for Best New Author is last year's winner, Wendy Richards! :-)

<Wendymr> It gives me very particular pleasure to present tonight's award for Best New Author.

<Wendymr> It's truly amazing that almost three years since any new episodes of Lois and Clark were shown on TV, this fandom is attracting more new writers than ever. Thanks to Dia, who kept a list <g> we know that there were 57 new authors in 1999, a truly remarkable total.

<Wendymr> And the most impressive thing about this is that some of those new authors wrote stories which count among the best this year: Becky Bain's Timeless, Irene Dutch's Firestorm, Trevise's Awakenings, Chris Carr's So... That's What You've Been Hiding and many more.

<Wendymr> The shortlisted six truly deserve their nominations: they have written some wonderful stories, some of which are among my personal favourites.

<Wendymr> They've been very prolific too - last year, I was considered a very exceptional case for having written ten stories over the year. These six nominated writers have written between them a total of 39 stories, an average of 6.5 stories each!

<Wendymr> But on with the business - the nominees are:

<Wendymr> (and I have no intention of listing all their stories!)

<Wendymr> Chris Carr

<Wendymr> Irene Dutch

<Wendymr> Hazel

<Wendymr> Notrepooh

<Wendymr> Nan Smith

<Wendymr> and Tank Wilson

<Wendymr> ...and may I have the envelope, please?

<Wendymr> And the winner is....

<Wendymr> I knew it, and I think she'll be a very popular winner....

<Wendymr> IRENE Dutch!!!!

<IrenKarn> Wow!! Thanks so much, everyone! I'm amazed.

<IrenKarn> One thing I forgot to do was thank all my buddies on the msg boards for their support

<IrenKarn> Thanks and thank you everyone. I'm thrilled!

<IrenKarn> And having a heart attack

<IrenKarn> Once again, a big thank you to everyone

<ChiefPam> Oh! I'm MCing so I'd better get to work <g>

<ELK> LOL

<KathyB> LOL Pam

<ChiefPam> Our last category is the biggest.... Best Overall

<ChiefPam> Here to present the award is Phil Atcliffe :-)

<Phil-tMP> Thanks, Pam

<Phil-tMP> Like the lady said, this is the BIG one.

<Phil-tMP> It's been quite a night; we've had splits and... um, problems <g>

<Phil-tMP> We've also seen a lot of wonderful stories given their due recognition

<Phil-tMP> and even more that are equally worthy

<Phil-tMP> But now, it's time for the ultimate accolade...

<Phil-tMP> The winner of this category has been judged by the massed ranks of worldwide FoLCdom to be THE story,

<Phil-tMP> the best piece of L&C fanfiction written in the past year.

[Phil was stringing everyone out for what seemed like forever ... the suspense was killing us! <g>]

* KathyB watches the people in the chat room start breaking furniture ...

<Phil-tMP> To no-one.s surprise, I would expect, most, if not all (I haven't checked, but I recognise a lot of titles)

<Phil-tMP> have already received awards tonight. Now it's time for one of the to take another.

<Phil-tMP> The nominees are:

<Phil-tMP> Caped Fear by LabRat

*** Snicker_D is now known as DF

<Phil-tMP> The Fear of Discovery series by Yvonne Connell

<Phil-tMP> The Healing Time by Wendy Richards

<Phil-tMP> It Happened One Super Night, also by Wendy

<Phil-tMP> and the Walk In My Shoes trilogy, by Sheila Harper

<Phil-tMP> so, while someone passes me the envelope...

<Phil-tMP> Maestro, the biggest, longest, most impressive drumroll you have, please

<Phil-tMP> The winner of the 2000 Kerth Award for the Best Overall Story is...

<Phil-tMP> It Happened One (Super) Night, by Wendy Richards!

<Phil-tMP> Congratulation, Wendy!

<Wendymr> I have to be dreaming - that's the only explanation here

<Wendymr> This is NOT happening

<Wendymr> so while it's not happening.....

<Wendymr> let me pretend it's true and say THANK YOU to everyone who voted for this

<Wendymr> And again a special thank you to Sheila, Nancy and Kathy

<Wendymr> And an even more special thank you to TheQuad, who some of you know

<Wendymr> and now I'm going to scurry away into retirement while I can still think semi-coherently <G>

* Wendymr collapses in a heap

<ChiefPam> Thanks, Wendy :-)

<ChiefPam> "Cleanup on Aisle 7!"

<ELK> LOL

* AMCiotola runs out with Kathy's stretcher from before

<KathyB> Congrats Wendy!

<KathyB> Now before you all leave, I have a couple of quick things to say.

<ELK> speech! <g>

<KathyB> First congrats to all the nominees -- this was truly the most competitive year in fanfic. I couldn't believe how many stories came in, and LONG stories at that!

<KathyB> Second, let's all have a big round of applause for Pam, who put together this ceremony!

<ELK> Yay Pam!!!

<KathyB> And finally, I want to extend an extra big thank you to Erin Klingler who put together this whole shebang, even while 9 months pregnant. <bg>

<ChiefPam> I just liked doing my Heartless Hollywood Producer role ;-)

<KathyB> A big round of applause for Erin!

<ELK> awwww. Thanks guys ;)

<KathyB> Oh, and last but not least!

<KathyB> Remember, if you want to meet some of these "famous" <eg> fanfic authors you've just voted for, set aside the first week of August on your calendar

<AMCiotola> Erin is not allowed to give birth until she finishes The Darkest Hour ;)

<KathyB> That's right, LAFF2000 will be held in Los Angeles, CA, the first week of August. Write to ChrisPat for more info!

<chrispat> cp13607@aol.com

<ChiefPam> And don't forget, Kathy put an awful lot of work into this shebang, as well, supporting Erin and me through all our panics :-)

<ChiefPam> Thanks, Kathy <g>

<KathyB> You're very welcome. :)

<ELK> yes, couldn't have done it without Pam and Kathy!!! Thanks guys!

<KathyB> Also, please take time to thank Dawn and Chris and Anne, for all their hard work tonight with voicing and devoicing and sounds!

<AMCiotola> oh and don't forget ... next year there will be a new category, Longest Time to write a fanfic! (toss between Erin and Kathy and Demi) <VBG> sorry had to say it ;0

<KathyB> And with that, I invite you all to stay in #kerthchat for our after Kerth celebration! Food and drinks are on me. <bg>

<ChiefPam> The Kerth Awards were brought to you by the fine people behind the following goods and services:

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<ChiefPam> "Best Overall" excerpts were selected by:

<ChiefPam> Wendy Richards

<ChiefPam> Pam Jernigan

*** KathyB changes topic to 'Hope you enjoyed the 3rd Annual Kerth

Awards!! Please join us in #kerthchat for our celebration party! '