Bludhaven (community)

Synonyms:
See also:	Subreality Cafe
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Bludhaven, also known to members as "The Haven", is an online fan community built out of the BLUDHAVEN and associated mailing lists. The group's main focus is the Batman character Nightwing (aka Dick Grayson) and is named for the fictional city Dick relocated to when he graduated from being Robin.

The Haven is a space not unlike the Subreality Cafe - a virtual "town" created by collaborative fanworks. All members of the BLUDHAVEN mailing list were technically members, although not everyone actively participated.

Concept

The Bludhaven community began formally with the creation of the BLUDHAVEN mailing list by Kat Richard in 2000, although it's possible the community was referenced on other comics fandom lists such as OTL (unfortunately, OTL content is not available online). The metafic concept was introduced early by Smittywing, who wrote a series of crackfic bodyswap stories in which she and Dick Grayson were switched, making Switty a Bludhaven character to the point she was a "character of the month" in September 2000 and after members introduced Kat to the Subreality Cafe concept, the "Bludhaven Cafe" began popping up as a way to make introductions, discuss fan writers and their work (via Chicago's Readers Corner) and host random silliness.

Hidey-ho Neighbors!

Welcome to the 'Haven.

Despite my personal inclination to think of the 'Haven as the fictional equivalent of Chicago, because the windchill in my RL city today was 11 below zero Fahrenheit (that's right, kids, first week in December and we're already freezing the mercury), I've decided that I will tell you it's MUCH WARMER in Bludhaven.

Which, of course, is absolutely true.

Here's why: This is one of the most supportive and entertaining communities in the cyber realm - a city of folks who write cool stories, have crazy conversations, and come out en masse when a member is down to offer encouragement and kind words. Take off your coats, new members, and stay a while. You won't regret it (unless you don't like a lot of mail. 'Cuz Bludhaven is NOISY!).

So this here is the patented welcome tour from me - Chicago - the now OFFICIAL Welcome Wagon (my offices ready yet, Kat?) to the city that makes Gotham look bright and cheerful (don't believe it - it may not be pretty to look at, but it's ours and we have our civic pride!)

So without further ado:

DEMOGRAPHICS: Bludhaven includes writers, readers, poets, artists, and lurkers. They come from everywhere and from all walks of life, so if you need to know the finer points of how kevlar works or what 5 year olds think of Batman or how US law works, post your question and someone will likely know. Be careful, though! The right kind of question might make people suspect you are working on a fic, and that could leave you with lots of messages begging you to post your story!

POLITICS: Kat is the list-mom. She rocks. She has assembled a Legion of Super-Heroes. Got a secret identity? Let Kat know and she'll put you in the ranks of the 'Haven's finest. Charlene (Super-Lawyer) and our mayor, Josh (a.k.a. the Nefarious Mr. J) help keep all us citizens in line, although you'll quickly discover that that might be the easiest job on earth, since everyone here is so nice and pleasant and fun to hang out with. Watch out for Dr. Evil, and don't believe anything he says! (JK John - and thanks for the help with the cups!)

INDUSTRY: Bludhaven produces fanfiction. A lot of it. Oodles and oodles. In fact, it's all I can do to keep up with it, and I'm not a writer. Most of what you'll get is Batfamily, with some Titans mixed in (it's presently Roy/Arsenal month), and we've seen some pretty inventive crossovers and original characters melded into the DC Universe. Responding to the needs of a voracious reading public, Bludhaven is always searching for new writers, so if you are a writer, POST YOUR FIC. Not surprisingly, there is a healthy job market for readers (both of the list feedback and of the beta variety). Artists are always welcome to join our small but talented cadre.

HISTORY: All easily accessed via the Bludhaven egroups archive. If you want to read fic, go to the files section of the egroup page and download the library. This will give you links to stories and is quicker than wrestling with the whole archive. Better yet, watch for the nominations for the Damn Fine* Awards to see what has been determined to be the best of the Bludhaven fic. If you are a reader, go into the regular archive and check out threads "critics" and "Readers' Corner."

• Damn Fine is a trade mark of the Bludhaven community. To find out more, read "Smittywing" and "Cafe" posts. If you have any questions after going through that, just ask.

GEOGRAPHY: The important sites are where Bludhaven tends to gather - the Cafe and the Chatroom. The Chatroom has regular town meetings on Sunday nights (go to the egroups home page and hit the "chat" link), and you never know WHAT the conversation is going to lead to. The Cafe is presently undergoing renovations (Kat, you never did tell me what was being changed), but it is the home of the Readers' Corner (which is where we discuss a given writer's work - Smitty is on the table now, but I'm about to kick her off in favor of someone else, even if she does make some damn fine potatoes!) as well as the place to kick back and throw out idle thoughts, discuss wrestling, slay the Jabberwock (but talk to me or Sandra first), have breakfast with Lian, antagonize the Harley, and generally rub elbows with some of the noisier of the Bludhaven residents. Tip Mabel (the waitress) generously, since she a) will keep you supplied in whatever comestibles you desire if you pay her well, and b) she has some kind of inside connection to Blockbuster AND the Bludhaven political machine that is keeping her from being fired.

LOCAL CUSTOMS: Fics that are likely to make someone cry should come with tissue warnings. Fics that are likely to make someone spray milk out their nose and damage their computer monitors should come with spew warnings. Fics should be rated, especially if they are "R" or NC-17," and slash should carry warnings. Anyone spoiling anything should post warnings and give spoiler space at the beginning of their messages. HSD is a Happy Snoopy Dance (reserved for moments of really super happiness). GHOUGHPHTHEIGHTTEEAU spells Potato. Writers like feedback - even if it is several months late. Damn Fine is high praise. Really high praise. No two Chicago welcome wagon messages are the same.

This ends your official tour of Bludhaven. You will hear more from me (I never shut up), but you'll quickly learn to tune out my rambling :). In the meantime, enjoy a romp through the archives, settle yourselves in, and join the party.

Cheers-

Chicago

"WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!" by Chicago, posted to BLUDHAVEN, December 5, 2000