Paint It Red, my favorite Mentalist Fan Forum, is holding its second annual “Paint It Red Awards”! This is an incredibly exciting time of year for me, as these awards are the biggest and best chance I have to really give back to the fandom and show the authors and artists how much I enjoy and appreciate their work.
But it’s more than just an opportunity to give some well-deserved kudos. These awards can – and do – make a real difference in the lives of the people who get nominated. Most fan fiction authors and fan artists are folks with stressful day-jobs, hectic pick-the-kids-up-by-5:30-or-else schedules, and barely any time to breathe, much less create. They are folks who stay up past midnight, just to finish the last few paragraphs of the next chapter…and not because they have to meet a publisher’s deadline. No, they are doing it for that one fan who said to them, “Please post again soon – I can’t wait to find out what happens next!” or that one reviewer who commented, “Great job. Your work is really beautiful.” They are doing it for love of character, love of plot, and for the pure enjoyment of their fellow fans.
When you nominate a story or a piece of artwork for a Paint It Red Award, you are telling that author or artist that their efforts matter. That those lost hours of sleep were not in vain. That even though they will never make a single cent of profit from what they created, their story or their banner or their icon was worth something to you.
If you have ever read a piece of great Mentalist fan fiction, or enjoyed a really awesome piece of Mentalist fan art, please consider making a nomination in the 2013 Paint It Red Awards:
http://z13.invisionfree.com/Paint_It_Red/index.php?showtopic=1127
It’s easy, it’s free, and – believe me – it’s worth it. 🙂
as the HERO flies... 