Winners of past challenges:
SFC 1:
1st:
Carola Eriksson - Shopping with the Conqueror
With a knowing twinkle in her eye, Carola has written a fic that is not only fun, but also very sharp-sighted. Cliché after conqueror cliché is served in a most enjoyable way! There's a rhytm and sense of feeling in the author's style that's very contagious. Different writing styles merge into one, guiding the reader with safe care. The timing is impeccable and you just keep laughing 'til your sides hurt! Being one of the most charming fics written, this conqueror parody is highly recommended!
2nd (tie, 3 J&M fics):
Anders Hallin - En julklapp till Mel
"I just have to come to the conclusion that this fic is fantastic."
Johanna Hedberg - Dr. Covingtons nyårslöfte
"You can see dr Covington walk around on that party dressed in her smoking and top hat. Why was Mel engaged to that bore Robert? I'm looking forward to a sequel where the answer will be given."
Malin Söderholm - A Knight In Shining Armor
"Things happen all the time, you just can't wait for it to happen! It's a good old fashioned mystery, which you wan't too see solved. Thus, you keep on reading. The end made me twitch. It's the last thing you expect."
3rd:
Erik Karlsson - Do they...er, you know...?
"It's fun and cute. I had a ball while reading it. Kids are too cute. Well told."
Swefic's honorary mention:
Anders Hallin - En julklapp till Mel
Anders has managed to write a varm, frank Jan and Mel fic that marches right into the core of the two characters. It may be a short fic, but it's contents tells much more. It speaks for itself and writes our own thoughts between the lines. The author's love for the characters shines through the words and the portrayal of Jan and Mel goes straight into your heart to stay there.
SFC 2:
1st:
Carola Eriksson - Gladiator
A conqueror fic with WFC vibes. The reality for a gladiator is the continuous struggle to stay alive, rather than glory. In the dark she waits, like many other, for her moment on the arena. A moment that soon comes, and so she fights. The empress, whom they all hail before the fight, is fascinated by the gladiator. Instantly attracted to her, she makes a drastic and very human decision, which may lead to something far beyond their wildest imaginations... A gorgeous fic, in every sense.
'I'm impressed..'
'There's no question about it; this is the fic that has to win!'
'Carola's fic is out-f*cking-standing!'
2nd:
Johanna Hedberg - Dansa mitt hjärta, spela min själ
Medieval/fantasy uber. The year is 1350 in Ravencort, the mightiest kingdom of the northern realms. Prince Roland's marriage will be held and people from all over the world have gathered to celebrate the joining. The bard Dion and her comrades Franz, Friedrich and Johan can't let such an opportunity pass them by without making some money. Well, then she sees Anne, princess of Solwraith, and from then on things don't go quite as they should...
'It's just... just wonderful.'
3rd (tie, 4 fics):
Peter Andersson - An Ordinary Day
Everyday troubles and travels as usual for the warrior and the bard. But a few simple misunderstandings lead to bickering and arguing for the rest of the day...
'It's A Day In the Life 2!!! Gabrielle and Xena's relationship is filled with enjoyable banter!'
Linda Bengtsson - Månader av väntan
Uber with the plot set in Småland and Öland. The young lesbian Terrie finds herself pregnant with the older Alex's brother Hampus. Hampus won't take any responsibility whatsoever, but Alex promises to be there no matter what. A deep friendship evolves.
'This is a story I like. I don't read uber, but this was good.'
Johanna Hedberg - A Classic Little Tale
A first time story. Or rather a parody of such a fic. Funny clichés wherever you look...
'I laughed 'til I cried.'
Erik Karlsson - Aphrodite's Little Helper
There's trouble in Xena and Gabrielle's communication, and in the middle of what's to become a great time with Meg, Joxer is summoned by Dite for a most delicate task...
'It's fun when someone writes about Joxer. I always feel he's lost. He is a hero and Erik shows that.'
Swefic's special note:
Linda Svensson - A Piece of Parchment
"A Piece of Parchment" by Linda Svensson is irresistible and funny. Even though it's very short, the story hits a few points that makes the reader laugh heartily and do 'thumbs up' while awaiting a possible sequel.
Swefic's honorary mention:
Linda Bengtsson - Månader av väntan
"Månader av väntan" is a very good fic, where you step into reality right in the first paragraph. Not all things in life turn out as planned, everyone makes mistakes and tries to correct them in the best way possible. Although the story is fairytale-like and cozy at times, real life shines through; idiotic classmates, irresponsible siblings, travels, mothers and society as a whole. The theme of the story is well balanced and for a first time bard, this is very impressing. And the caring, strong but also slightly insecure character of Alex makes MAV a heartwarming story worth a second read.
SFC 3: TIE on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!
1st:
Johanna Hedberg- Jul, jul, strålande jul
The family dinner that God forgot, with a twist! Kristina hesitantly travels with her mom, dad and brother to the Axelsson family's matriarch; grandma. It's time to celebrate Christmas! During the course of the events you'll encounter grandpa the homebrewer, a cousin's family in turmoil, a bunch of charming kids, a very human uber-Gabrielle and a slightly confused but lovable uber-Xena. If you thought you had a weird family, think again!
"It was... glorious! Wonderful! And damn if I didn't recognise certain things..."
Erik Karlsson- Ur dödens käftar!
A very charming and well written fic about a dead Gabrielle who's waiting for Xena to come and rescue her from the land of the dead! This fic contains an unforgettable Hades, an Amazon choir and two women flirting au hardcore with each other... You'll laugh your ass off! A late arrival in the SFC, but it stuck with the readers to the end. A classic comedy X&G.
"I have to give Erik a standing ovation for this one. His best fic so far!"
2nd:
Carola Eriksson - The Island of Beasts
The Island of Doctor Moreau goes uber! An alcoholic uber-Xena (Mike) accepts employment on an island where the excentric dr Viktor Schaussen resides. Circumstances has Mike crossing paths with Ria, a quite different woman. Nothing is really what it looks like, but some things might just have to be accepted with no further thought...
"This movie reminds me of an old matinée. Yum!"
Carola Eriksson - The Last Letter
A letter is written to an heir by a king, telling her story. It's the tale of what a piece of writing can tell about a person's most inner feelings, of love, misunderstandings and lingering sadness. A thouroughly well written fic with a warm heart.
"I'm in love with this fic."
3rd:
Sofia Gradin - Blond... blond... död
An incredibly funny Jan and Mel fic, where one cliché after the other is slaughtered, always with a playful twinkle in the writer's eye. A certain series EP is symbolically molested, ms Kelly Easton makes you laugh out loud and Janice is simply perfect. Fantastic and very, very good.
"Yay, go Sofia! Funny, exciting, well written and... did I say funny?"
Christopher Härnryd - A Chill Down the Spine
A gem of a fanfic, written as an episode! Many familiar faces greet the reader; Hope, Dahak, Bacchus... more won't be revealed. A fic you just have to read! It's a true Xena epic that could be compared to one of the best s2 episodes anyday.
"Really fucking damn great! I have to read the rest of his fics too. Really awesome."
The readers' special note:
Christopher Härnryd - A Chill Down the Spine
Swefic's honorary mention:
Ewa och Linda Bengtsson - Behind the Scenes på The Bitter Suite
This fic breaks every rule a story could possibly have! And that's why it's such an enjoyable read. The humor's really sick and some of the lines are priceless! This fic is an accomplishment that the two Bengtsson sisters should be proud of!
Swefics special note:
Sarah Wennbom - Tro, hopp och kärlek
An awful short but extremely charming fic! To say more would be to reveal the plot for those who haven't read it yet. But you could call it a 'nightmare' for some...
"Superb fic, Sarah should write more and often!"
Winners in the image category:
1: Carola Eriksson - Fragments: The Gift
2: Johanna Hedberg - Wish Granted
3: Linda Svensson - Once a Thief
SFC 4
1st:
Sarah Wennbom - Fem ess i leken
Sarah has written a hilarious fic! What do you get if you mix Callisto, Hope, Najara, Velasca and Alti with the embroidery club for sissies and a gang of ehm... tough... amazons... and a stack of rhino cotlets and a bard and a warrior? The mess of the century? Hah! Then you don't even know a third of it all... This fic will have you in stitches! A comedy masterpiece and a worthy winner.
2nd:
Johanna Hedberg - Väntan
A ghostly atmosphere, a nameless destruction and a lonely wait in silence. The story is short, but need not be longer. This is about what is left when there's no hope anymore. Or is there...?
3rd:
Linda Bengtsson - Två själars blod
this is a fic well written, as always when it comes to Linda. A love so sincerely strong, fatal mistakes and a letter written in desperation; this is what signifies the fic and carries it forward. The true strength of the story are the feelings of both characters. Their feelings seem so real. Damn frustrating but also very, very good.
The readers' special note:
Christopher Härnryd - Altitude
This is Christopher's second note of honor from the readers. And it's no wonder; his fics are always skillfully written and packed with substance. The feeling of closeness to the series is remarkable and as a reader you literally step into the story. A very good story and a master author.
Swefic's honorary mention:
Erik Karlsson - Urpölen
Who the hell can turn molecules and formulas into an XWP fic?!? Well, Duh; Erik, of course! The little pool is fascinating in its oddity. Being such a short story, the fic still delivers plenty and you finish it with a smile on your face...
Winners in the image category:
1: Johanna Hedberg - Joxer and Perdy-Poo
2: Johanna Hedberg - Lost
3: Sofia Gradin - Warkänslor
SFC 5 - a tie!
1st:
Johanna Hedberg - "Solaris äventyr: -den där när Solari stolpar iväg på ett korkat heligt uppdrag från Artemis"
It all starts with the gods screwing up, as usual, and don't have the faintest idea of how to solve things. A queen regent with the temperament of a hydra, a cool stoic warrior (not Xena) and the Xenatic duo tries to fix the unholy mess. Well. Then there was the amazon village, of course...
"A completely insane bröt-fic, not without a deeper and more serious plane of existence. And the amazons - these wonderful amazons!" and "Cool adventure, I must say. It's not often a story's about anything else than Xena and Gabby on Swefic."
Christopher Härnryd - Tjej med chakram
The girl with the chakram heads towards Egypt. She's changed in so many ways... With a lingering gloomy mood surrounding her whole being, but with determination and the will to fight anything, she is ready. Ready to re-open a closed circle. A fic well-written, with a subtle sense of humor.
"I feel like I'm repeating myself. A very well-written fic, treating the characters with every ounce of respect they deserve. It's straightforward, honest and stripped of all things un-necessary. The plot is carefully thought through and you just bow to the master of genfic. When is the next VS7 ep?"
2nd:
Christopher Härnryd - Dagens sista ärende
A hilarious SciFi fic with details that pull you in. And the end is just brilliant!
"It's cleverly written, in the beginning you ask youself where the heck you've landed... In some cool Mutant world where Kult and ADD goes 2030...? Outstanding. You get a glimpse of the punchline, and then it explodes in a mighty ROTFL!"
3rd:
Linda Bengtsson - När det knakar lite i fogarna
A classic X&G fic, working with the well-known campfire scene... with a twist.
"Linda's becoming a much more accompliched writer when it comes to the classics. VG fic."
The readers' special note:
Linda Bengtsson - När det knakar lite i fogarna
Johanna Hedberg - Solaris äventyr: -den där när Solari stolpar iväg på ett korkat heligt uppdrag från Artemis
Swefic's honorary mention:
Linda Svensson - Mourning
Sometimes the most complicated feelings are the simplest. And sometimes a thought is all it takes.
Winners in the image category:
1: Johanna Hedberg - Xena the Valkyrie
2: Johanna Hedberg - Run For Your Life & Dystopia
3: Ilea - Renee
The voters' special award:
Erik Karlsson - Joxer
