So Long, Farewell, Aufwiedersehen, Adieu

Having been a part of the awards since their conception and run them for the last five rounds, I feel that they have run their course. The original concept of awards for the whole HP fandom was, and I think still is, a great idea; it is a very diverse fandom. That said, perhaps the fandom is too diverse. Looking over the lists of nominated fics for the last few rounds, it's not hard to see how the fics have drifted towards a particular few ships and characters. This wasn't my intention at all and, rather than encouraging people to nominate fics to challenge these, it seems to deter people.

On a personal note, the thought of running another round fills me with complete and utter dread. Well, perhaps that's a little strong, but it's taken me this long since the end of the sixth round to clear my head to finally write this. I have enjoyed running the awards, but I feel that if I were to do another round it would be because I felt obliged. I don't think that you should feel obliged to do something in fandom. You should do things because you enjoy them. Fandom isn't static - it's always changing, and I feel as though I have moved onto a different place in fandom than where I was when Multifaceted was started.

My fandom preferences are also very different to those of the majority of fics that are nominated, and I'm sure that this is also part of my choice to close the awards. My real-life university studies are also a factor in this decision. The lists of nominees and winners will, of course, stay up on this site. They may also get posted on the LiveJournal community at some point.

There will therefore not be a seventh round of Multifaceted. I'd like to give a huge thank you and to everyone who has supported the awards and helped in some way, especially Shannon, who hosts the website.

Natasha.