* IMPORTANT NOTICE *

17-Jan-2016

Regrettably I have to announce that Beneath Sovereign Skies will probably be never finished. On 5-Jan-16 I was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Since that day I have had to undergo multiple ER visits to drain fluid from my lungs that was causing acute respiratory distress. Tomorrow I undergo the first of what may be many uncomfortable chemo treatments.

Now days I spend most of my time, exhausted and unable to work up any enthusiasm for any activity, including writing. If luck is on my side, the chemo may help and I'll be able to pick up writing again, but I am a realist. Lung cancer is a death sentence, it's just of matter of how much time they can buy. I don't want to throw in the towel as far as writing is concerned because it seems like I'm giving up already. But I do not have the energy to continue and what I do have I need to apply to getting through this.

Since 2005 Fan fiction has been a source of happiness and frustration for Alyx and myself. Thankfully the vast bulk of our readers have been good people with good senses of humor. I have no regrets about the vast amounts of time involved in writing several million words of stories.

In the words of the famous Douglas Adams, "So long and thanks for all the fish!"

Update: March 08th 2016

Three rounds of chemo plus 11 radiation treatments and I'm pleased to say that I haven't had to have my lung drained in over a month. That suggests the chemo is having an positive effect. On the other hand, the chemo IS having an effect, I'm in a constant state nauseousness which drains one's morale at an alarming rate. I've had to deal with radiation burns, low blood pressure issues and even a bout of constipation so bad it required an ER visit. Talk about embarrassing.

I hate feeling sick, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I wish I could say my energy levels are improved, but they aren't. I wish I could write, but I just can't concentrate enough to get any work done. Perhaps someday I'll be able to fire up the word processor and get typing, but right now, just getting through each day is and exhausting exercise.

-Bob

ps I would like to thank all those that left messages of support. I wish I could reply to everyone, but know that nearly every message has brought a smile to my face. Your messages of support have gone a long way to helping fight the despair one feels when dealing with this illness. Now having said that, I will admit to being frustrated and more than a little anxious because of the people that insist on sharing that they lost their mother/father/son/daughter etc to cancer. Cancer is an insidious disease that attacks the body and spirit. Its disheartening to hear about your losses when I'm facing the same issue. I am struggling to fight the constant depression and fear this condition has caused. Hearing about your losses isn't helping. I am sorry for your loss, but I really don't need the reminder.

We accept SIGNED reviews only. Fan Fiction has a policy of allowing unsigned reviews. That's good for them, but not for us. If your review is unsigned, positive or negative, it gets deleted. No exceptions. We do want to know what you have to say, but it can't be that important if you're unwilling to log in before you say it.

30-January-14 Status Update on the third in the dragon rider series. Delayed. Yes, it's delayed and not abandoned. I have roughly 50 more pages to write before I'm willing to even consider publishing it, but real life issues are crowding my writing time. So please, do not ask me for updates, do not send me pms begging to beta read when we both know you're just really wanting to see what's been written so far. I wish I could have maintained my predicted schedule, but dealing with my father's estate takes importance.

Our Stories

Dumbledore's Army
Follow Harry as he turns the DA from a ragtag group of students into a trained fighting unit using muggle fighting tactics. Angst, Humor, Romance and Action. Rated M for language and mild sexual situations. This is a very old and very embarrassing story, please don't complain about it being cliche or we'll laugh at your ignorance.

Harry Potter and the Spiritus Crystalus
The sequel to Dumbledore's Army, follow Harry as he explores the depths of Hogwarts, deals with House Elves, Goblins and a fiery Red Head. A seventh year story which takes you through the final battle and beyond. Another very old and very embarrassing story, please don't complain about it being cliche or we'll laugh at your ignorance.

Saying No
Written mostly by Alyx, this is a serious examination into the angst of teenage rebellion. Its a poignant story that touches the heart. Yeah right. Crack Fic, do not drink while reading. Not responsible if you get fire for reading it at work. Nuff said!

A Hogwarts Christmas Story

Harry is rescued by a higher authority that even Dumbledore can't fight. Merry Christmas!

Escalation

An expose into why it's a bad idea for the Wizarding world to ignore the muggle world.

Sphere of Influence

Crack Fic! Explore what really happens behind the scenes at the department of Mysteries!

Obligatory Marriage Law Fic

Gotta punch the ticket for the marriage law premise, here's our version.

Messing With Fate

A Micro Plot Bunny. Not to be taken seriously. No really!

Multiverse

Crack Fic. I really can't explain it better than that. This is so cracked you monitor will leak. Do not read and drink at the same time.

Parallels

A NANOWRIMO response for 2006. Harry leaves his universe behind for another.

Mutant Storm

A very different look at the "power he knows not". Crossover with the X-Men universe. Harry/Ginny ship, don't like Ginny, don't read it.

The Queen who fell to Earth

Forced to compete in the tournament Harry accidentally awakens a power that spans time and space and sets the wizarding world on a collision course with the muggle world.

The first part of a crossover between Harry Potter and the Dragon Riders of Pern. (Now Complete)

On the Wings of Dragons

The Weyrleader and the Weyr prepare for the step of revealing dragons to the whole world amid the backdrop of increasing international tensions and a wizarding war that threatens the very peace of the planet.

This is the second in the HP/Pern crossovers. (Now in progress)

The following stories can be found at bobmin dot fanficauthors dot net

(Once upon a time the above was an actual working hyperlink! Now it's a silly spelled out pale echo of itself because the system operators of FFN are trying to prevent their site from linking to anyone. Shame FFN shame shame shame, on you, your family and your cow.)

Below is a partial listing of what can be found at our other site.

Sunset Over Britain
Sunrise Over Britain
Attack of the Fanfic Authors
Parallels
Potter's Revenge
Healing Harry
Potter's Revenge
Wizards Fall
Wizards Fall: Rescuing the Rescuer
Spanking Albus

Thanks to the dubious system operators making arbitrary decisions I am stating here and now that all unsigned reviews will be deleted without reading. If you can't take the time to log in then I can't take the time to bother reading what you have to say.

ON CHALLENGES
The standard reply to all writing challenges is No. We do not do challenges. Yes I know you have a wonderful idea to cross over telly tubbies, Harry Potter and the Avengers etc... The simple fact is that in order to do a good cross over an author needs to understand all of the involved universes and most of the time people ask us to do a challenge involving a universe we don't know.

Honestly folks the only thing we write are plots that we come up with. So our standard reply to challenges is No. Save yourself the trouble and time and don't ask.

We ask that NO ONE repost these stories anywhere else. If you want to link to them, fine. Repost them? No.