Contents
Issue 13 Features 7
Fandom Tattoos Tattoos have become increasingly popular in the last few years, with celebrities like Helen Mirren getting them. And, of course, the trend has fed into the fandom world. We’ve gathered our favourite tattoos to show you and maybe they’ll inspire you to get one yourself.
To Cope With Jily’s Death 10 How October is the month of red leaves, pumpkin lattes, and the anniversary of James and Lily Potter’s deaths. As 31st October, more commonly known as Halloween, draws closer, we give you tips for coping with their death. Short answer: you don’t.
you were the Doctor’s compan14 Ifion... When/where would you go, and why? We’ve asked 12 of you the impossible question and the results were amazing. Where or when would you go?
18 Favourite Lyrics
Music is a big part of our lives, and for some the tune is the most important aspect of the song. But for many, it is the lyrics that make a song for them. Whether it is because they can relate to the song, or maybe because the song reminds them of someone or something, or a time when they were happy. We asked some of you what your favourite lyrics are and why.
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Good Death Scenes In some films, books, and TV shows— *cough* Game of Thrones—*cough*, people die a lot. But the death scene can either tear your heart out and stomp on it ten times… or it can just leave you feeling meh. But what actually makes a good death scene?
Marauder Headcanons To help with the anniversary of James and Lily’s deaths, we have pulled together our favourite (happy) Marauder headcanons. Hopefully they will make you feel better!
The Great Fandom Debate Falling in love with a series is pretty painful, especially when it has finished and we’ll never know any more information about it. Help us answer some questions in the Great Fandom Debate.
Books, Film and Music 24 Upcoming Films 25 TV Review— Orange Is The New Black 26 Upcoming Books 27 Book Review—The Winner’s 28 To Read Next 29 Book Club 30 Music Review
Curse
Celebrity 20 Dress Like— Orange Is The New Black 42 Celebrity Birthdays
Fandom Stuff 8 Interview—@Team_OUAT 16 Confessions 40 Top 10 Villains 44 Fandom Gifts 46 Fanart
All About You 4 Tagged 6 Hot or Not 12 Horoscopes 13 Quiz 34 Column—The Perfect Fic 38 Fanfiction—Something Magical 45 Agony Aunt
FAITH IN HUMANITY
Updaters Cian—Harry Potter, Once Upon A Time, Percy Jackson, Pretty Little Liars Jessica—Doctor Who, Marvel, Sherlock Lisa—Jedward
I often see stories or pictures online about things people do that ‘restore your faith in humanity’. These include people helping others and/ or people exhibiting kindness. If it’s okay with you, you can keep your pictures to yourself because more often than not, I don’t believe them. They could be true, and I would really love them to be, but it is most likely it is a staged picture or a picture with fake words next to it. You really shouldn’t believe everything you read about on the internet. Instead, I look at the real world to restore my faith in humanity. What happens there truly does restore my faith, because I know it cannot be fake. Someone giving up
Workers
their seat for another who needs it more than them. Someone letting someone else Eleanor—Editor go on the bus before Victoria—Managing them. Someone Editor helping someone who Imi—Assistant is struggling with a Editor buggy up a flight of Natasha—Beta stairs. Someone Reader wishing everyone Rae—Website Editor they see to have a Beth—Fashion Stylist nice day. All of these Em—Upcoming little things I see on a Books/Films daily basis are what Emilie—Interviewer restore my faith in humanity. Maybe not Emily—Grammarian restore it, as it never Emily—Agony Aunt really left. They Emma—Illustrator strengthen it, instead Eve—Columnist of meaningless words Jessica—Fandom Updater on meaningless pictures that lack real Lauren—Stargazer proof. Lily—Music Editor What I’m trying to Saffy—Book Reviewer say is that you too can strengthen people’s faith in humanity by doing small acts of kindness everyday. It will make a difference, I promise.
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Emma Watson On 20 September, Emma Watson, the UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, made a powerful speech at United Nations Headquarters in New York. She is involved in the project HeForShe, a campaign for gender equality. We’re all very proud of her and truly hope for gender equality in the future.
HOT
Slam Poetry A new type of poetry, slam poetry, is becoming increasingly more popular, especially on YouTube. Poets call out problems with society, often using their own experiences as inspiration. There are competitions and readings all over the world, so don’t miss out on a chance to see it live.
Season Premiers Shows on hiatus really, really suck. The only thing that helps (bar the crying and the giffing and the chocolate eating) is knowing that one day, soon enough, the next season will premier. And for many shows, such as Agents of Shield and Once Upon a Time, that time is now!
Ships Becoming Canon When ships become canon, your happiness depends on whether you ship them or not. If they’re your OTP, then it’s quite possibly one of the best things that could ever have happened. If you ship one of the characters with someone else, it can really suck. Stay strong all you non-canonical shippers.
Not Enough Screen Time Sometimes in a show where there are more than one or two main characters, the writers seem to forget about a main character along the way. Either that, or the character only has decent screen time when they’re with certain characters, some who are not even main. Equal screen time for all!
NOT
The Weather Some people like summer and spring, whereas some people like autumn and winter, but no one likes the inbetween weather. In the morning it is icy cold and you wrap up in coats and scarves and woolly jumpers, but in the afternoon it feels like the summer again. Seriously, weather, what is going on?
Sam Pepper
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Sam Pepper’s most recent YouTube video is absolutely disgusting. He ‘pranks’ girls by grabbing their butts when they are not looking. One girl even explicitly told him that she didn’t ‘like it at all’, yet he still continued to film the video, obviously editing out all the bad reactions he received.
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@team_OUAT @team_OUAT is a Twitter account run by Shay, a fan of the hit show Once Upon A Time. She discusses her hopes for the coming season, who she would be if she were an OUAT character, and who she’d love to see join Storybrooke. When did you first start watching OUAT? I first started watching Once at the end of Season 1. One of my friends suggested I watch it and I did, and was HOOKED! (No pun intended).
Why did you decide to dedicate a Twitter account to Once Upon A Time? The OUAT fandom is unlike any other. We are all so passionate about Once Upon A Time all year round and I wanted to interact with other Oncers. I also had moments while watching the show that I wanted to talk about the show with people who understood the show so I decided to make a Twitter account.
What do you love most about OUAT? I love that it gives an escape from reality. I love the fairytales and the magic. I am also a big Disney fan so I loved that this show incorporated everything I love about Disney. I grew up watching those fiarytales as a child and so it’s like a bit of my childhood is back.
What do you think of the Frozen characters being in the new season? I am ecstatic about Frozen characters! Frozen was my favourite movie this year. I memorised every song on the soundtrack and just fell in love with
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the movie and all the characters. I am so excited about seeing what twist they will put on the characters too.
Are there any fairytale characters who you’d like to see on the show and who would you like to play them? I really would like to see Princess Jasmine from Aladdin! I think Vanessa Hudgens would play her really well.
If you were in Storybrooke, which fairytale character would you be?
Tweet Corner:
I would be Emma for sure. I am stubborn like her and we seem to have a lot in common. Plus she has all the hot guys fighting over her. Who wouldn’t want to be her?
Who do you ship Emma with and why? I ship Emma with whoever makes her happiest. I try to stay neutral and love all ships so that I appeal to all of my followers.
What did you think of the season finale and what are your hopes for the new season? The season finale was the best finale yet! I was on the edge of my seat! I loved that Emma realised she was taking her parents for granted and I loved the idea of Emma getting to see her parents fall in love. I think any person would love that. I hope to see Emma connect with her parents more and see her really develop as a person. I hope to see Rumbelle living together and I HOPE to see Regina happy.
Do you belong to any other fandoms? I belong to a lot of fandoms actually, but none as great as this one. I watch many television shows. Too many to keep count of. I would say The Vampire Diaries is my second favourite show.
What fandom related events are you looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to the season premiere of Once Upon A Time, of course.
Quick-fire Questions: Favourite OUAT character: Emma Swan Favourite OUAT episode: Season 2 episode 3 “Lady Of The Lake” Favourite OUAT cast member Jennifer Morrison Favourite OUAT ship: I love ALL ships. It’s so hard to pick just one. 9
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Horoscopes
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Aries
Taurus
You will re-read your favourite book
You will find a new OTP
Gemini
Cancer
You will watch a new TV show
You will have new photos from your favourite fandom
Leo
Virgo
You will find a new singer whose music you will love
You will find a great new band who makes great music
Libra
Scorpio
You will ship new people
There will be new merchandise for your favourite fandom
Sagittarius
Capricorn
You will fangirl/fanboy a lot over your favourite fandom
You will join another fandom
Aquarius
Pisces
You will watch a great movie
You will read a new, brilliant book
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WHERE/WHEN WOULD YOU GO, AND WHY? Kathryn (@thenightisdone) 3000 I would go to the year 3000 to see if Busted predicted the future.
Saffy (@potterandevans) New York I would go to New York because it’s the city that never sleeps.
Amy(@shadowfaxed_) New Zealand Omg New Zealand because it’s so pretty and LOTR/The Hobbit sets.
Imi (@saltysummerday) Hogwarts Hogwarts. Always. I would kill to have been able to grow up there.
Imogen (@ginnyweasleys) Asia 14
I would travel to different countries, probably Asia because I’ve never been there; the culture is amazing and they never show it on Doctor Who.
Iris (@Btothewright)
1970-1991 I would go to a Queen concert back when Freddie Mercury was alive.
Ellie (@m_ilkovich) 8th May 1945 It would be cool to see them announcing World War Two is over or the millennium at New Year.
Rae 1189-1199 Just like Clara, if I could choose I would choose to travel to Nottingham when Robin Hood supposedly lived. Robin Hood was my favourite character growing up and I’d love to know if there is any truth to the legend. Also, the whole medieval time period is my favourite and I’d love to witness it; seeing how people coped in those times.
Garry (@Hedwigsbro) 800 BCE—146 BCE/753 BCE—476 CE I’d love to go to Ancient Greece (or Rome) because I love Greek mythology and I’d love to know more and see it when it was a popular religion.
Eleanor (@prongsandthedoe) 480—404 BCE I would go to Ancient Greece, more specifically 5th century Athens, just to indulge my inner classicist. I’ve been to Greece before, but to see the temples intact and Greek life thriving would just be beautiful. I would love to know what it was really like, to see all the things I’ve learnt about happen in front of me, and to be able to fluently speak Ancient Greek (I suck at it at the moment).
Shivi (@_shivanib) India The Greeks definitely ! Or India during any time period ever.
Eve (@jilyinthetardis) Space I would love to simply float among the stars and watch the universe from a different point of view. It would be beautiful.
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I really, really do not like the DC universe.
I love Capaldi, but I hate his doctor. He’s just too dark for me.
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CONFES
I think Peter Pettigrew is just misunderstood.
SSIONS I actually find Daenerys’ plot boring now and I think it deserves less screen time.
I’m not that excited about the final Hobbit film; I think the films aren’t as good as The Lord of the Rings.
I originally loved Supernatural and the fact that they carried it on five seasons past it’s expiration date has ruined it for me.
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"How can the only thing that's killing me make me feel so alive?" (She (For Liz) Parachute) It’s so frightfully true for so much of life but it's also my Jily song and it reminds me so much of James that I want to cry and ugh (@saltysummerday)
"Hey, you call me up again just to break me like a promise, So casually cruel in the name of being honest (All Too Well—Taylor Swift) She puts in words a feeling people know really well and also “break me like a promise” is a great simile, and, once again, we all know how bad a broken promise feels (@takeharryandgo)
"We'll be together with a roof right over our heads, We'll share the shelter of my single bed" (Is This Love by Bob Marley) He’s saying that, though he doesn't have much, he would share it with the person he loves and do all he can to protect him (@pinesthepug)
"May all these memories break our fall" (Long Live - Taylor Swift) It almost means the good will outweigh the bad and catch us or soften the blow when things do go bad. Happy memories make everything better (@lexymagic)
"So it seems that you cannot win ‘Cause you were too scared to let your life begin (Remember Me by Roxanne Emery) The idea behind this, that you lose when you don’t try, is a powerful one (@beautifulilies)
"Trying to keep my head high for all I'm worth" (You Won’t Feel A Thing—The Script) It reminds me to be strong (@princessabble)
“Don’t you worry about a thing, my sister” (Don’t You Worry—We Are The In Crowd) The line reminds me of my sister, and, especially now she’s away at uni, helps me when I miss her and feel rubbish. (@kingsIionheart)
"When did we all resolve to growing up means stand aside? Where did the heroes go 'cause tonight we breathe to stand and fight" (Close the Distance - Go Radio) I love the whole song because of the commentary on the human condition but these lyric specifically 18 (@potterandevans)
“I'd rather waltz than just walk through the forest" (Plant Life by Owl City) It makes me want to choose a happier and more carefree way of life -- to choose the fun way, to dance instead of walk (@lessoningravity)
"I'd rather die standing than live on my knees" (Black Eyes, Blue Tears - Shania Twain) The idea of living life to the fullest is one that resonates closely with me and I grew up listening to Shania so yeah, it means a lot to me (@saltysummerday)
“Darling hold me in your arms the way you did last night, and we’ll lie inside a little while here, oh” (Afire Love—Ed Sheeran) When I first heard the song I thought the line was perfect and beautiful and showed so much emotion. I can kind of relate to it (@shadowfaxed_)
"And I'm not quite sure how comfortable I am with growing up" (My Life Is Average - Deaf Havana) Every day I struggle with the fact that I'm an adult and knowing that I'm not the only one makes it slightly better to deal with (@HunstantonKier)
"I want to see your face and know I've made it home" (Painting Flowers - All Time Low) The idea of it warms my heart, that a person can be your home and your everything and goddamnit I want that (and it also reminds me of Jily, yes, my life revolves around Jily) (@saltysummerday) "Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life you were only waiting for this moment to arise" (Blackbird - The Beatles) In my opinion, the world breaks us, some of us to the point where we can't think or do anything, but there comes a time where we need to gather ourselves and heal. And finally, there's a time where we can see the light of day and we can smile again and be free from everything broken. The whole song is beautifully written and I think the lyrics are my favourite because of the meaning behind them (@dauntlesspanda)
"We're afflicted by fiction" (Round and Round—ID) It just reminds me of how as a whole the media and our society and lives have pure investment into fiction and I always find it so weird that we can create whole worlds in TV shows and films or whatever and be so affected by it (@ginnyweasleys) "I wanna thank you for your card ‘Cause Hallmark says it all" (Nothing You Can Live Without, Nothing You Can Do About—Mayday Parade) I love the satire of the lines, and just the whole chorus sounds vulnerable and bitter and sarcastic at the same time. (@takeharryandgo) 19
DRESS LIKE
KAYA SCODELARIO
Kaya Scodelario has recently made her big screen debut in The Maze Runner movie. Her fashion sense in this industry has always been simple and sweet. Here we chose a straight cut red dress, and paired it with a pair of snakeskin heels. To accessorize, we picked a cross-body leather bag, and to complete the look, add some red lipstick, for the perfect balance of rouge-ambiance. ZARA £79.99
TOPSHOP £8
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ZARA £49.99
FOREVER 21 £17.50
DRESS LIKE
DYLAN O’BRIEN
Dylan O'Brien, more famously known as Stiles Stilinski on Teen Wolf, is hitting the movie industry with a bang in the film adaptation of The Maze Runner. Dylan's quirky personality and humour is clearly represented through his style. Here Dylan is wearing a blue plaid dress shirt, with a pair of dark trousers. He dresses the outfit up with a structured beige jacket and a pair of leather oxford-styled shoes.
H&M £14.99
ZARA £89.99
ZARA £69.99
H&M £7.99/$9.95
H&M £19.99
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What makes a good DEATH SCENE From the murders in Medea by Euripides, to Shakespeare’s lovers committing suicide in Romeo and Juliet, to Sirius’ death in The Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling, characters across time have died at the cruel hand of their writers. Certain deaths cause people to react differently than others, and, attachment to the character aside, it is all to do with the death scene. So what makes a good death scene?
Slow motion If a death like a stabbing happens too quickly, it is sometimes hard to process that they actually died. Slow motion not only helps you to process the death as it happens, but it also helps you to see what exactly happened.
Sound Music can play a huge role in a death scene. Whether it is a haunted version of the character’s favourite song or a beautiful instrumental piece, it can really change the mood of the whole scene. Similarly, if the sound is cut, like Sirius’ death in The Order of the Phoenix, the silence of what could have been there can make the death even more heart wrenching than it already is.
Other character’s reactions If no character mourns for another character’s death, the audience don’t tend to, either. At the same time, a reaction to someone’s death is made so much worse if characters also share your pain and are also mourning. Lydia’s scream for her best friend, Allison, in Teen Wolf, reminds the audience of her death and highlights how much she will be missed by her friends which makes the death so much worse.
Flashbacks Flashbacks don’t always work in films and TV shows, but when they do, they worsen the death for the viewer. In Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo + Juliet, the flashbacks of the lovers remind the viewer of how little time they had with each other and so making their death scenes sadder.
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TOP DEATH Romeo and Juliet— Romeo + Juliet SCENES
Allison Argent - Teen Wolf Allison’s death involved everything a good death should involve: slow motion, haunting music, a heart-breaking scream from Lydia and her dying speech in the arms of her first love. Then, after she had died, Look Out by James Vincent McMorrow played, accompanied by the reactions of everyone who loved her, just to pull on even more heartstrings.
Watching Leonardo DiCaprio die is hard enough as it is normally, but add Claire Danes’ death into the mix it is a lot trickier. If the lovers’ deaths are played right, and in this version they were, the audience’s frustration adds to the death scene. As Romeo dies he notices Juliet waking from her coma-like sleep.
If we weren’t crying already, the flashIt didn’t help that before her death she had accomplished killing an Oni, backs that followed Juliet’s death made which had made her happy before a split second later she was killed. us weep buckets. The flashbacks, includWhat makes her death even more heart wrenching was her selflessness, ing the fish tank scene and the bed sceeven in her last moments. The first thing she says to Scott is asking him if ne, remind us immediately after their her best friend is safe. She untimely deaths of how little time they then reassures him, telling actually spent together. Sob. him it is okay that she is dying. Even after all of that, in her dying breaths, Allison begs Scott to tell her father, always thinking about others rather than herself.
DOBBY—HARRY POTTER Dobby is portrayed as such an innocent character in the Harry Potter series, which is probably a main reason why his death hit the fandom so hard. He had been freed by Harry and it felt right that he was the one to free Harry and save him. Dobby’s death scene was a rollercoaster of emotions. At first there is laughter at his sassy comment to Bellatrix, then there is the anticipation of whether the knife will be part of the apparition—helped by the slow motion. Then, once at Shell Cottage, there is relief and hope. Everyone is alive; everyone is okay. That is, of course, until you hear Dobby whisper Harry’s name. This is the moment your heart is ripped out of you as you see Dobby clutching the knife wedged in his chest. The beautiful music helps to set the scene as Dobby is cradled in Harry’s lap, dying. Harry’s begging to Hermione to do something makes the death scene so much heart-breaking, as does Dobby’s dying monologue of how it is ‘such a beautiful place, to be with friends’. He then goes on to calling Harry his friend— cue the tissues—before finishing with ‘Harry Potter’. This ending echoes the first words we hear Dobby say and the ring composition acts as a sort of flashback to remind us how much Dobby has been there for Harry since his second year.
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films of October
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October is a great time. It’s when the weather starts getting colder so it becomes more and more acceptable to wear jumpers out and about. Another thing is you cant really go out much in October because of the rubbish weather, but you can go to the cinema. And it’s a good job too because all the films in the cinema this month are excellent. Love, Rosie is the love story of Rosie, played by Lily Collins, and her best friend, played by Sam Claflin. Sound good yet? Whilst that is good, it is not the best because The Maze Runner finally hits the UK screens this month; the amazing adaption of James Dashner’s epic trilogy. Plus, it has an amazing cast. However if you don’t fancy another YA, the film adaption of Gone Girl is out this month too. If you like it, read the book, and if you don’t: read TMR!
29th September Season five of the all singing, all dancing TV show. If anyone wants to watch Glee back to back, here you go…
20th October If you need more Marvel in your life, then how about season one of Agents of Shield?
13th October This sci-fi action film, Edge of Tomorrow, is based on the novel All You Need Is Kill and stars Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
Orange Is the New Black is one of the most widely talked about and most awarded TV shows around right now; but what exactly makes it so good? What makes it worthy of twelve Emmy awards? Well, pretty much everything.
For those of you who don’t know, Orange Is the New Black is centred on Piper Chapman, sentenced to fifteen months in prison for transporting drugs for then-girlfriend Alex Vause ten years previously; she leaves her home and fiance Larry for Litchfield Prison where she unexpectedly meets her old flame. It’s always awkward bumping into an ex, but for Piper, it’s approximately a million times worse.
Season one saw Piper struggle to keep her head above water and out of Alex’s way, though eventually succumbing and falling back into Alex’s arms, almost completely discarding Larry. Throughout the season, viewers were also introduced to inmates Red, Nicky, Morello, Poussey, Taystee, Daya, Suzanne (‘Crazy Eyes’), Sophia, Miss Claudette, Cindy, Gloria, and Pennsatucky, as well as many more, that soon became equally, if not more, relevant and loved as main characters such as Piper and Alex.
Season one ended with a violent confrontation between Piper and Pennsatucky, leaving viewers unaware of either inmate’s fate. Directly picking up from this, season two started with Piper in Solitary Confinement, uninformed as to why, and transferred to Chicago. Piper immediately assumes that she is being transferred for murdering Pennsatucky, though later finds that she is there to testify in the trial against Alex’s drug boss. Alex insists that they lie in court; after much persuasion, Piper agrees, yet later finds out that Alex backed out and told the truth, leaving Piper tangled in a dangerous lie that could earn her additional time in prison.
Later, we find out about Taystee’s connections with previous mother-figure, Vee. We find out about Vee’s drug connections involving Taystee, that Pennsatucky survived the fight with Piper, and that Daya is pregnant with Officer Bennett’s child. Taystee begins to try and improve her ways by taking part in the mock job fair, hoping to gain experience for when she is released in order to turn her life around, though this all crumbles when Vee appears as an inmate in the prison. Vee proceeds to cause trouble among the inmates, attempting to gain authority in the prison, using Suzanne as a weapon. Viewers gain much insight into the lives of inmates before prison, we found out that Morello’s love, Christopher, was never really her lover, and about her credit card fraud that put her behind bars; that Gloria committed fraud with food stamps; that Cindy worked as an
airport security guard, stealing passenger’s belongings; and we find out details of Poussey’s past relationship with a woman in Germany and their sour end.
Larry recruits Piper as his prison mole in order to expose the prison, as their funds are not being used effectively; she later causes friction between inmates when she is granted furlough, temporary leave, to visit her sick grandmother. While away from prison, Piper and Larry’s relationship is tested, especially when Larry admits to her that he slept with someone else; Piper is unaware that Larry is referring to her best friend, Polly.
Bennett lets slip to boss Caputo that Daya is pregnant, blaming it on Officer Mendez to avoid his own punishment. Mendez is later arrested and removed from the prison, losing his job.
Vee causes so much unrest in the prison, turning inmates against one another, that the elder inmates devise an unsuccessful plan to murder her. Red and Vee collide when their businesses inside the prison compete, leaving Red afraid that Vee will hurt her and her posse. Red later attempts to kill Vee, though cannot find it within herself to do it. The two make a truce, agreeing that the prison has changed since their previous meeting many years before. Later, Vee double-crosses Red and viciously attacks her, hospitalising her. Eventually, Vee’s prison family turns on her, leaving her with nothing. Vee escapes from prison, as does terminally ill inmate Rosa, to experience freedom for the last few days of her life, after Morello intentionally left the keys in a prison van. Rosa sees Vee while escaping, and purposely hits her with the van, leaving her for dead.
Piper reveals Figueroa’s involvement in stealing money from the prison’s funds, Figueroa later attempts to keep Caputo from turning her in, to no avail. Caputo takes over from Figueroa, though his role is shaken when Bennett reveals that he impregnated Daya. Caputo ignores this confession to avoid a scandal, and Mendez returns to the prison.
Season two expanded on much of the drama we were left with after season one, tying up loose ends and answering fans’ burning questions. One of the most remarkable things about OITNB, is the stellar portrayal of women; the show writes strong women, emotional women, ambivalent women, smart women, not-alwaysright women, and everything in-between. The cast is almost entirely female, in all shapes and sizes, representing pretty much everybody, making it all the more accessible for viewers everywhere.
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Books of October the young elites MARIE LU
A new novel by Marie Lu in the ‘Legend’ world. Adelina is a survivor of the plague, once cast out by her family she has finally found a place amongst the elites. To some they’re heroes, but to others they need to be brought to justice. She soon realises that her actions may cause a danger no one has ever seen. A definite read for Legend fans!
The Young Elites—Marie Lu (7th October)
The Greeks and Romans still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen - all of them - and they're stronger than ever. The gods, still suffering from
blood of olympus RICK RIORDAN
multiple personality disorder, are useless. As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is over . . .
Blood of Olympus—Rick Riordan (7th October)
in the after light ALEXANDRA BRACKEN
Reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire.
In the After Light—Alexandra Bracken (28th October)
For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with that which has been found, though, is how easily they can be lost. Friends can betray. Mothers can disappear. Visions can mislead. Certainties can unravel.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue—Maggie Stiefvater (21st October)
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blue lily, lily blue MAGGIE STEIVFATER
THE WINNER’S CURSE MARIE RUTKOSKI While this book may be a bit slow to start off with, I think that the main focus of the book is not on an exciting plot but the characters themselves, and the relationships between them.
In my opinion, one of the most noteworthy traits of this novel is its lovely writing. Rutkoski truly does have a knack with prose, creating an intricate and detailed fantasy world. What I would consider as a Kestrel is strong willed and major feat on the author’s resilient, intelligent and part is the ingenious world building. There is absolutely sharp. Her no info-dumping, and strength lies not while I do admit that in combat, but in it takes time to bestrategic analysis come acquainted with and cunning the different races, the plans. fog soon lifts. Arin is proud Included in The Winand defiant. He ner’s Curse is a good will not bend for blend of romance, his masters and suspense, action, and he is still his own political intrigue to person, despite everything. Kestrel and Arin keep anyone enthralled. The have a complex relationship. themes introduced are intriEqually matched in wit, they guing and often thoughtdance a dangerous routine, provoking. While this could toeing the line between what not be considered a thrilling is acceptable and what is not. action novel, I think that the Theirs was a very subtle yet slow pace reflects the monotpowerful romance that was ony that Kestrel experiences slow-building and easy to root daily. for. It wasn't overdone or over Kestrel has to make the ulti-dramatic, however, there mate choice, leaving us with were moments that I found an ending that has created difficult to believe. shockwaves.
SYNOPSIS As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year -old Kestrel must either get married or join the army, but one day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave. Arin’s eyes are defiant, unbroken. On a whim, Kestrel buys him. But he has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. The ending was shocking and wrenching, even though you know as well as anyone that this was the only choice.
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SO YOU’VE READ ‘THE WINNER’S CURSE’ BY MARIE RUTKOSKI AND ENJOYED IT? WHAT NEXT?
THE KISS OF DECEPTION—MARY E. PEARSON
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THE GLASS CASKET— MCCORMICK TEMPLEMAN
She is Princess Lia, seventeen, First Daughter of the House of Morrighan. The Kingdom of Morrighan is steeped in tradition, but some traditions Lia can't abide, like having to marry someone she's never met. Fed up and ready for a new life, Lia flees to a distant village on the morning of her wedding. She settles in among the common folk, intrigued when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her.
Death hasn't visited Rowan Rose since it took her mother when Rowan was only a little girl. But that changes one bleak morning, when five horses and their riders thunder into her village and through the forest, disappearing into the hills. Days later, the riders' bodies are found, and though no one can say for certain what happened in their final hours, their remains prove that whatever it was must have been brutal. Rowan's village was once a tranquil place, but now things have changed. Something has followed the path those riders made and has come down from the hills, through the forest, and into the village. Beast or man, it has brought death to Rowan's door once again.
SNOW LIKE ASHES—SARA RAASCH
PRINCESS OF THORNS— STACEY JAY
Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since. Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again. So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself.
Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy yet cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne ten years ago. Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late? Can Aurora and Niklaas break the curses that will otherwise forever keep them from finding their one true love?
Editor’s pick:
BOOK CLUB
The Aeneid by Virgil Hear me out, okay? Virgil’s Aeneid is a classic, and rightly so. Although some of the writing is hard to get through, similar to other Homeric, epic poems, the plot makes it worthwhile. I have been meaning to read it for a long time, along with The Illiad, and now we’re studying it in Latin I’ve finally gotten round to it. Don’t be afraid to read books out of your comfort zone!
Over to you @ginnyweasleys At the moment I am rereading House of Hades by Rick Riordan in preparation for Blood of Olympus which is out later this month.
@BtotheWright At the moment, I’m reading The Death Cure by James Dashner. I’m only a third of the way through but I really don’t like it that much. I except the second half will be better because it’s the last book.
See what’s on our staff’s bookshelves
Cold Blood by Truman Capote I’m reading the book for school and so is something that I probably wouldn’t have picked it up on my own, but I’m actually really enjoying it. The book, whilst written in 1965, is set in 1959 abd depicts the mass murder of a family of four and the consequences on the town they live in. Although it sounds a little gory, the book itself is enthralling and gripping, and somewhat scary as the killers are so human.— Emily (@direwolfpack)
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn It’s the story of a man who comes home on his wedding anniversary to find his house in disarray and his wife gone. The book follows his quest to track her down with the help of the police and the town locals, interspersed with diary entries from his wife written in the years leading up to her disappearance. I’m loving the book so far; it’s a classic mystery/thriller with twists and turns, but also exploers the relationship between a husband and wife, showing how they’ve changed individually through the progression of their marriage. I can’t wait to see what happens and to watch the film when it’s released later this month, starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. —Emilie (@holy_hippogriff)
Read an absolutely magnificent book recently, and you can’t help but want to share it with the world? Tweet us and it will appear here! Don’t forget to hashtag it. #fabookclub
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Reading and Leed When I heard that Australian five-piece Tonight Alive were coming to my city, I was more than a little excited. Playing a Reading and Leeds Festival warm-up gig in Oxford, Tonight Alive performed at an intimate venue, something of a rarity for them after touring with the likes of All Time Low, You Me At Six and Pierce The Veil, playing huge venues in front of massive crowds. Since their formation in 2008, Tonight Alive have toured all over the world, though sure to be a highlight of their career was playing the worldfamous Reading and Leeds Festival this summer, the Main Stage, no less. At the packed O2 Academy in Oxford, Tonight Alive showed fans what they’re really made of. Loud, in-your-face hits such as ‘The Fire’, ‘Listening’, ‘The Edge’, and ‘Lonely Girl’ had the crowd going wild, but as quick as Tonight Alive had us screaming and jumping up and down, a touching acoustic version of heartbreaker ‘Amelia’ made many a fan shed a tear.
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Fron gall’s can-b tric a vib expe fore; the c ing struggles and successes forming the much-loved but album, ‘What Are Yo told of their journey to b gest pop-punk bands of touching manner, you co immense sense of pride ans.
To sum up the experien sweaty, and it was aweso
Since the 1970’s, Readin the pinnacle of British ro tivals: where all bands to be. Over the years, R and Leeds has seen hea such as Nirvana, Oas Fighters, The Ramones Day, My Chemical Ro Pearl Jam, and The
ds: Tonight Alive
ntwoman Jenna McDous tough, yet sweet-asbe personality and elecstage presence created be unlike any other I’d erienced at a concert be; creating a bond with crowd by sharing touchstories of the band’s s, as shown before perd title track of their deou So Scared Of?’, Jenna becoming one of the bigf the moment in such a ouldn’t help but feel an e for these five Australi-
Stripes, to name but a few. Now, a new generation of bands are taking over.
Main Stage acts this year included Paramore, Blink-182 (For their fourth visit to the festival, and second time on the Main Stage), Arctic Monkeys, You Me At Six (With special guest All Time Low frontman, Alex Gaskarth, during their Reading set), A Day To Remember and Sleeping With Sirens as well as many others; this year’s festivals seemed to be nce: it was loud, it was impossibly more epic than ever before. ome.
Rumours are already circulating regarding ng and Leeds have been 2015’s line-up, only fuelled by Stevie Nicks’ ock fescomments that legends Fleets aspire wood Mac may be coming toReading gether again for the festival adliners next year. sis, Foo s, Green One thing’s for certain, Readomance, ing and Leeds has always White been, and always will be, epic. 31 31
James and Sirius wanting to give Remus a makeover and Peter's the one that has the idea of Remus wearing a leather jacket and skinny jeans as a joke, but then James and Sirius agree and they dress Remus in a white tight tshirt, a leather jacket, skinny jeans, and black sunglasses and they style his hair to have a bit of a quiff. Remus thinks he looks ridiculous but he doesn't and the girls start swooning for him more than they do for Sirius.
MARAUDER HEADCANONS
Minerva McGonagall loving the Marauders to pieces, they are her favourite students. She lets James and Sirius get away with little things, lets Remus off the hook for not having the best quality work the few days around the full moon, and makes sure Peter was always paired up with one of his friends. Basically McGonagall is like the Marauder’s extremely strict mother.
James, Sirius and Peter making up dozens of excuses about Remus’ scars, to the point where they don’t even have to look up from their book or newspaper or homework etc. whenever anyone asks. They just automatically reply with a nonchalant answer. Some answers include:
Remus’ lycanth best in the ot showed their s James and Sirius library at night to about werewolv night. Imagine P wreck the first form but suckin for Remus. Imagi time Remus look agine them learn cations and poti take and keeping bags. But then i them wanting to charities about them not wanting they donate to e charity that they them going to St with children w ten. But, again, conspicuous, so t out with every si Imagine Sirius tr and letting the ch to him. Imagine J and gentler, less and ultimately, a Imagine Peter ov fears. Imagine R grateful becaus dealt with his lyc h
He fought the Giant Squid He battled 100 Death Eaters He protected a group of first years from being bullied He saved our lives Quidditch practice He killed Voldemort What scars?
Sirius high-fivin raises her hand James to high fi sick to come to with a sigh and a when neither Sir ble. Peter being about being aske Lily in the
I have no idea what you’re talking about Who the hell is Remus Lupin?
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Sirius Black ridin cause he wa
hropy brought out the ther Marauders and softer sides. Imagine s sneaking down to the o read a stack of books ves and staying up all Peter being a nervous night that they transng it up because this is ine them fretting every ks pale and peaky. Imning exactly what mediions that Remus has to g extra stashes in their it gets better. Imagine o donate to a bunch of werewolves. Imagine g to be conspicuous, so every single wizarding y can think of. Imagine t. Mungo’s to hang out who have just been bitthey don’t want to be they just casually hang ingle child on the ward. ransforming into a dog hildren cuddle up next James becoming kinder arrogant, more mature a much better person. vercoming some of his Remus being forever se of how his friends canthropy and changed his life.
ng Lily every time she in class. Sirius asking ive her when he is too class. Remus doing it an immediate apology rius nor James is availag overly enthusiastic ed to do it, and slapping face by accident.
ng a broom to class beas late at least once.
Minerva McGonagall was fully aware that the Marauders were trying to become Animagi and she may or may not have carefully placed some useful reference books, some of which may or may not have been her own personal copies, in the library where she knew they would find them.
Even when the Marauders get the hang of not living together anymore, they’re super codependent on each other and their license to Apparate does not help at all. James waking up to find a naked Sirius in their kitchen looking for coffee. Remus walking into the bathroom with a note on the mirror from James saying ‘i owe u toothpaste. sorry. i ran out’. Peter finding Remus on his couch, watching TV because Sirius broke theirs or something again. Sirius not being able to finish any paperwork because James is in the room looking for quills even though they’ve started using pens. Lily being so done with all of them.
In seventh year James tries to be extra sneaky with his pranks because he’s Head Boy and is meant to be responsible. He and Sirius would come up with ideas and then present them to Remus like “can we do this without getting caught?” and Remus would be like “you are terrible why did anyone make you head boy” but he does it anyway because he secretly quite enjoys it when James shoves him in front of McGonagall and gets him to explain how they didn’t technically break any rules.
The Marauders hanging out in class the day after a full moon when suddenly a terrified Hufflepuff says to them, “Did you hear? There were werewolf tracks found on school grounds last night,” and they all dramatically gasp and say in hushed voices, “Whaaaat?”
After they discovered most of the secret passageways, the Marauders wouldn’t take the regular routes to class ever again. They wouldn’t find helpful shortcuts, no, that would be too simple. They would just go nuts and find a different way to get to their class every time. One week, they would go through a secret passageway, slide down a slide, climb up a ladder, crawl through a tunnel, and would eventually drop down from the vent in the classroom. One day, they would find themselves walking on the rooftop and would crawl through the window. One day, Professor McGonagall would open the drawer to her desk and they’d crawl out and confusedly look around. And she’d just stare at them, speechless, and James would say, “I’m just as confused as you are.” And he’d turn to Sirius and ask, “How did we get here?” And Sirius would check the Marauders Map and mutter, “You’ve got me. By all accounts, it makes no sense.”
James, Sirius and Peter are always waiting outside the hospital the morning after the full moon just as Madame Pomfrey brings Remus in from the shack. Even though they’re not allowed in until Remus is bandaged and in bed they still get there that little bit earlier. They can only stay for half an hour in the mornings until Madame Pomfrey kicks them out for breakfast and classes but at least one of them always visits during breaks and lunch to make sure Remus doesn’t get too lonely. No one’s ever seen James, Sirius and Peter pay attention in class like they do after a full moon because they know that if they combine all three sets of their notes they’ll get a better set to give to Remus than if just one of them was pay attention.. Remus has no idea how they manage it every month, especially after they start joining him for full moons, but he’s so grateful.
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THE PERFECT FIC COLUMNIST
What makes the description and then, when you begin to perfect fan fiction? read it, it’s just not well written. It’s a tricky IT IS THE question.
When you realise that you’ve found a new OTP, or a new obsession with a TV show has begun, people quite often delve into the magical world of fan fiction– where anything can be canon. It’s such a great idea, right? There’s alternate universe fics and other character fics– literally anything can happen in a fan fiction.
MOST IRRITATING THING WHEN YOU FIND A FANFICTION WITH AN
AMAZING DESCRIPTION AND THEN, WHEN YOU BEGIN TO READ IT, IT’S JUST NOT
WELL WRITTEN
The only problem is– and this is the major issue when it comes to reading fics– it’s Plus, we all have those things that we look hard to find the perfect one. for in a fan fiction i.e. the things that make So you want a romantic fan fiction, but you the fic even more enjoyable for you don’t want anything too sexual– it just personally. takes away from the story. For example, I prefer Harry Potter fan Or, you want one with a really dramatic storyline that keeps you gripped throughout the whole thing– it can’t be too slow-paced.
fictions written during Harry’s school years. I love to read Dramione fics, but I don’t enjoy them nearly half as much if they are post-war. But then, that’s probably just Also, one thing that everyone wants is for it me. to be well written. I know myself how hard So, what can we do? I suppose that the only it can be to write well and use the correct way to actually find the perfect fan fiction is techniques in a fan fiction without to hunt for ours on fanfiction.net and AO3 overdoing it. and tumblr recs until the one presents However, it is the most irritating thing itself to us. You just better hope that it’s when you find a fan fiction with an amazing either finished or regularly updated.
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THE GREAT
FANDOM DEBATE Getting involved in fictional universes is great, expect when there is no more addition to the world and you are stuck wondering about all those nitty gritty details about the characters’ world.
Do Quidditch players do fitness as well as skills in training? If so, is there a gymnasium for them do train in the winter? If so, where is it? Can non-quidditch players use it?
Has the Doctor (and his companion) ever spent days simply exploring the TARDIS?
Why would anyone sign up to be a guard of Camelot, especially as the job has so many deaths?
Does the White Queen only eat ice/ice cream?
Tweet us your answer to these questions! #GreatFandomDebate
What do female tributes do when they’re on their period? 35
SOMETHING MAGICAL A HARRY POTTER FANFICTION BY ANDROMACHE. (princessofilium)
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SOMETHING MAGICAL Harry sat on the windowsill of his bedroom, looking out over the rolling fields that surrounded his home. The sun was just beginning to rise, and cast a deep red hue over the lush, green grass and hedges that marked the edge of each section of land. Some of it should have been his, but upon buying the small cottage shortly after the war, he opted to rent or sell most of the land that came with it. It was unnecessary and he would rather someone was using it. The cottage itself was old, often cold, but also had something cosy and homely that enclosed it. Far out in the Devonshire countryside, Harry had wanted to get away from busy towns and cities. He had wanted somewhere quiet, somewhere relaxing, somewhere he could just try and let everything go - all of the stress, pain and worries that had become the previous years of his life. Somewhere not distinctly
magical, but not muggle either. Somewhere in between. Harry turned his gaze from the rising sun to the woman lying in his bed. Red hair spilling over her pale, bare shoulders as they slowly rose and fell with each breath she took. He did not get to watch for long because moments later her eyes began to flutter and open, almost like she could sense him staring at her. A smile spread across her face as her bright brown eyes locked with his emerald green. As he stared, he could not help but think just how beautiful she was. Her messy hair, the freckles that splattered her face, the look in her eyes when she was up to something. She was the best thing that ever happened to him and he loved her for it. Harry Potter loved her.
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Ginny Weasley. Harry Potter loved Ginevra Weasley. Love. Now that was an interesting thing. One word, four letters and too many feelings. Ginny knew Harry loved her; she could see it in every smile, every look, every touch, but he had never said it. Not once. Not even when he thought he was about to die.
There was something in love that frightened the wizard. Whether it was the fact that the feeling was so powerful, so strong, so magical, or even the fact that almost everyone he had ever loved had been cruelly torn from his life, he was unsure. The only thing that was for certain was that he was afraid to say those three words, those eight letters, those thousand and one emotions.
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Ginny stood, pulling the bed sheet with her and draping it around her body before going to sit on the windowsill beside Harry. She placed her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her, together watching the sunrise. The sky was brighter now, more of an orangey-red that reminded Harry of the hair resting against his chest. As the sun rose, so did the feelings bubbling up in his chest. Suddenly, he was not so scared any more. He was safe. He was with her. “Hey, Gin…” “Mhmm,” she mumbled, her eyes closed again as she lay against him, comfortable. Harry took a deep breath, “I love you.” Her eyes shot open, wide and bright, half unsure if she had
heard correctly. The couple had been together for almost four years if you ignored their year apart during the war and never once had those words been uttered. The day was not a particularly special one; it was ordinary, like any other. Just any other day. That was, until he said those three words. Quickly, Ginny sat up; eyes still wide like a doe in the headlights of a bus. She stared deep into his eyes, trying to sense how he was feeling, why he had said it. Why today of all days? With every fibre of her being she knew it was sincere, but why now? After a moment, a smile broke across her face as she leaned in to kiss the man she loved. Passion and happiness poured into every movement. Sheer happiness, awe and wonder.
Love. Everything she had and everything she was. “I love you,” Harry said again between kisses, shocked at how easily the phrase fell from his lips now. “I love, mhmm,” he said again, words being muffled by Ginny’s mouth. They stayed like that for a while, just kissing as the sun rose over the little cottage. Eventually, they pulled apart and Ginny looked at him again, “I love you, too,” she said with a smile. In a plain, little cottage in the middle of the Devonshire countryside, in a place neither wizard nor muggle, where a man lived alone after years of war, pain and suffering, on a day as ordinary as any other, a little something happened, and it was magical.
If you would like to submit any fanfiction, original prose or poetry to be showcased, email it to us at fandomsassemblefiction@gmail.com or tweet us at @fandomsmagazine.
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AGONY AUNT REPORTING FOR DUTY
Q
Please help me! My favourite band is breaking up and I feel like crying. I've loved and supported them for years now and it sounds dramatic but I feel like an era of my life is ending. I love the excited buzz I got every time they released a song/music video/album and now I'm never going to have that again. My parents never let me see them in concert and so I was planning to go when I turned 18 but now I will never get to do that. Please help; I feel awful.
A
It's always tough when something bad happens to celebrities we love. But, if you really do love them, you should realise that this is a good thing for the band members: they will probably all be much happier splitting up. As for missing their music, I wouldn't worry- most band members at least attempt to make it as solo artists and there may well be reunion tours and greatest hits albums. In the mean time (and I know this won't be easy) I suggest finding another artist to obsess over- maybe a personal favourite artist of one of the band members? Happy music hunting!
AA
Q
So, recently I've been looking around universities to see which one I want to go to and at several of them they said that they liked to see that "applicants take part in activities outside of their studies as this often creates a more wellrounded individual". But for the past 2 and a half years I've basically been a professional fanboy and so literally have no hobbies to put on my university application. I don't like sports and I want something that won't take up too much time but will still look good on a university application. Please find me a hobby!
A
I honestly think that being a "professional fanboy" is a totally acceptable hobby, although perhaps you should phrase it differently on your application! You could maybe say that you keep up a successful online blog which you are committed to posting regularly on about a subject you are very passionate about. Or talk about the things you fanboy over without being too specific- watching and reviewing films; listening to music, finding new artists and expressing yourself through music; widening your understanding of the world through reading and exploring other cultures through anime and manga all sound pretty impressive to a university admissions board. You don't necessarily have to mention that by reviewing films you mean tweeting about them and that you "widen your understanding of the world" and "express yourself" by reading Harry Potter and head banging to 'Smells like Teen Spirit'.
AA
Send your problems to faagonyaunt@gmail.com for our Agony Aunt to answer.
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FAN ART BY MEG (AN
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Remember to email us your fan art to fandomsassemblema
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agazine@gmail.com or tweet it to us at @fandomsmagazine
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Fandlemonium candles, or “fandles“, are made from all natural soy wax. They are mixed with carefully selected fragrance oils and dyes to create a unique and fun scent based on your favourite characters.
Fandles are handmade in small batches, so colours and scents may vary slightly from batch to batch, though we work hard to give you the best quality and consistency possible.
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