The Night World just celebrated its existence of one year. That's right. We have been a force to reckon with online for a year. We're no longer in the infant stages. We are a full-fledged toddler! Wait till we hit our terrible two's. OK so I'm just joking about that toddler and terrible twos deal. Well, maybe not. Anyway, you aren't here to read my jokes. You want to know more about how we celebrated our anniversary. Well, I graduated from college and got to sit in the broadcast booth during a Major League Baseball game (my team won!). How's that for celebration? July and August were hectic months for me so we didn't celebrate...yet. We are more than likely going to have a huge celebration around Samhain but I can't say anymore or else I would have to kill you. *looks around furtively* For your enjoyment, I have posted up the letter I sent to the 470 (plus or minus 1 or 2) members we currently have. Wow, when you think this time last year we only had about 20 members. We have grown. We are now the most successful, most informative, and best-organized LJS fansite/club online. That was my goal. Though I have to admit, I didn't think it would be this popular cos hardly anyone seemed to know who she was at first. Although there have been ups and downs and people who make me want to pull my hair out...or strangle them...I have never regretted a day of it. It has definitely been a labour of love and brought me into contact with some wonderful people who I would have never met without this club. So thanks to everyone who has been a part of this. I appreciate you and all you've done (even if it was just surfing the site for an idle moment's pleasure.)
August 20, 1998
To all the Night World members,
A couple of years ago when I first got on the web and surfed around, I looked for information on Lisa Jane Smith. I had found information on Pike and a host of other things so I thought LJS should be there as well. She wasn't. I immediately decided I would make a page for her but never got around to it. I did do my groundwork though. I had a photo scanner at the time so I took pictures of the covers to scan them into the computer. In March of 1997, I joined the Midnight Club, which is a club for YA Author Christopher Pike and made some great friends there. I have been in that club for over a year and love my time there.
In late July/early August of 1997, the discussion turned to other authors and a few people wrote into say how much they loved LJS. Scott wrote in asking if Drew was still going to start the club called Secret Circle. I wrote in immediately to say I would love to be a member if she did, but please not use the name Secret Circle since it was already the name of something else I was involved in. I then decided to start the club myself and that I would use the name Cassie. I asked the people who were interested to contact me and we would start the club. I asked for suggestions on what to call it and everyone pretty much said Night World. That was chosen mainly because it was all-inclusive. It had everything. There were about 15 or so of us who got together and talked about forming the club. While we all loved the MC, there were things there we felt didn't work and we decided not to do. We also felt there were other things that should have been done and decided to incorporate them into the club. It was definitely a few weeks of major discussion on what we wanted to do and not do. It was fun because there were about 15 of us and it was also a way for us to get to know each other even better. I asked Sienna to be my second in command on a hunch and it paid off. She and I became best friends over the past year and I couldn't run the NW without her. Or any of the Elders for that matter. I thought up the Elders, figuring it would be good to have a group of members make all the rules and decisions. I told the charter members that it was voluntary only. And if they didn't want to be an Elder then, they could always contact me later.
It was a labor of love that we worked on the rules and page and decisions. We figured we would not be able to open for a while and we waited about a month before we did. The earliest reference I could find in my emails was dated August 20, 1997, when I wrote a friend about the club. But I was talking like it had already been around for a few weeks. We still didn't open until September just because we wanted everything done.
And now we have been around a year and have become the most successful LJS club on the planet. Part of it is the fact I am a public relations major and know what to do to promote someone (and this was great training) and the other part was my Elders. We have spawned countless copycat clubs and I know they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but I can't help wishing people would stop stealing the NW's graphics and ideas and hard work.
Anyway in this letter marking our one-year anniversary, I have a lot of people to thank. So bear with me and send them your thanks too, because without them, you probably wouldn't be here.
First, I have to thank Sienna/Elena. Like I said, I could not manage the club without you. Even though you change your webpage every month and are sometimes too optimistic, you are just what I need a lot of times when things are frustrating me cos people won't follow rules or whatnot. I think we might be the twin soulmates talked about on the soulmates page that are friends. We read each other's minds even though we are miles apart. You are a complete and total doll and I love you.
Beth/Kaitlyn: We've been friends the longest out of all. I love you so much and can't imagine not knowing you. It's through Pike that we met and I kind of made you join the NW even though DV was all you had read but your input is treasured and it's great I have you to help with the little things that aren't much but a bit time-consuming.
To make it fair, from here on out, it's in alphabetical order:
Anna/Damon: Goddess you are so talented in making graphics. Without you, the NW site wouldn't be as wonderful as it is. Plus I am so glad we have become good friends as well even though I have to live without you for three months every three months! I do miss your input when you are gone.
Amy/Faye: What would we do without our listserv and IRC queen? Thank you so much for everything you have helped with. You're another one we couldn't do without.
Barbara/Gabriel: OK so you're not an Elder and you rarely speak, I am still glad you are in the club. And by finding out of print books, you have definitely helped the club.
Christine/Jenny: Ah our scan queen. You helped so much when the NW first started by scanning in all the covers and also offering your input on graphics.
Laura/Julian: Our very first member-welcomer. And for the longest time, second oldest member of the group. You helped me keep my sanity a lot of times. I am glad we still stay in touch even though you had to stop being our member-welcomer! You may be gone but you are not forgotten.
Camille/Kestrel: We just barely got to meet when you had to go offline but we saved you a place in the club cos Jean would have a fit if we hadn't! LOL But I am so glad we did. Thanks for the hard work on the ICQ list. It looks great.
Lea/Laurel: Your input when the club first formed helped a lot and why don't you speak up more????
Molly/Mary-Lynnette: Oh my first truly eager member. LOL. You helped so much with getting the names and I still remember the line of one of your emails: "tired little person". It made me think how adorable your personality was and I immediately liked you. Speak up more and more stories!
Morgana: She's offline so can't receive this but she helped in ways I can't go into.
Jeanette/Poppy: another one of my soulsisters. We have become such good friends and you are the best FAQ'ist I think I have ever seen! Thank you.
Nicole/Rashel: What happened to you??????? Come back come back
Rachel: ok you don't do much but make me jealous with your stories of going to Europe and getting great shoes and clothes but I still love ya and glad you're in the group!
Nicole/Rowan: Another one that I want to know what happened to you!!!!!! Come back come back
Kel/Suzan: Oh girl what would we do without our 'Lisa?? You design great graphics as well. Thanks for designing the NW logo and the Dark Visions graphics and getting that set up for me. You are priceless.
Melissa/Thea: You've been a big help to the club as well and I am so glad you are finally back online!
Charter Members no longer in the club:
Jenn/Jez: Whatever happened to you? But thanks for helping to set up the club in the first place.
Other people I really truly need to thank as well: This is in order of when you joined cos I can go through my list that way J
Alex/Sylvia: for taking over so aptly the job of member-welcomer when Julian deserted us (HAH, says she) and becoming a great addition to the Elders. You have been in the club so long it was almost like you were a charter member.
I have to thank these four all together:
Blaise
Chess
Hellewise
Maya
For being our first members back when we opened to the public and sticking with us for so long! I really appreciate it.
Alys: Oh girl you tried me when you first joined. Sending an email asking why no one had responded to your post that you sent five minutes earlier, telling us five days in a row that you hadn't found a book or that you were going offline for the evening. But you have improved so much and I couldn't do without you in the NW.
Ash: for being gone most of the time but popping up every so often with new ideas. The Soulmate page seems to be a success.
Bonnie: the original one for helping with graphics and the fanfic pages, as well as the rune images. I wish I knew what happened to you.
Diana: my "older" sister. I am so glad you joined and in my eyes, you really are Diana. Thanks for taking over the SC site and helping me so much. I love you.
Lily: the first to spawn a copycat club. But CM is cool and I love you like a little sister too. Can't do without you either.
Meadta: the second to form a LJS club even though you had to resign as leader. You've helped out the NW as well and I am glad you are still a member.
Meredith: one of my chat hostesses. You were one of the first people in that chat room and I am so glad you are still in the club. You have a great gift for poetry so don't ever stop writing!
Raven: I have to thank you just for teasing us the most out of everyone with writing your story. J
Summer: for conceiving and creating Serpent's Lair.
Galen: for your help in the Black Iris and on the website
Hannah: for helping people find books. You are a wonder.
Iliana: Thanks for helping out on projects that never quite got off the ground. LOL like the original soundtrack page. J
Nick: for being our first most vocal guy (better start speaking up more or others will try to take that title from you!) and for helping so much on the webpages and the Awakening poetry page. Can't wait to see the newest design.
Red: what would we do without our biggest VD fan, who finally gets a copy of TVD4!!!! We couldn't do without you either.
Daffodil: another one who tried me at first with your behavior in BI but when it happened to you, you changed and have been a great member ever since. Thanks so much for all the help you have been in the BI and the Black Sage!
Jade: another one who has helped a lot on the webpages. Oh I finally have all the books you wanted.
Maggie: My birthday girl!!!! Thank you so much for taking that over when Suzan and Julian had to stop. You have done a great job. Hurry back. We miss you.
Marisol: OH man how do I thank Marisol? For being such a big help in the BI and just being as you put it the coolest coma-girl! Plus you have some great poems. Keep it up!
Raquel: for all your help on the webpages. Thank you for doublechecking pages for me.
Sarah: You came up with the birthday card from the NW and it has been a big hit. Thank you.
Thierry: for your help in BI and checking the site.
Aradia: where do I begin? Oh migoddess, your graphics, your ideas, you.
Caroline: you are such a great member. Thanks for all your help on the casting page!
Jacinth: for being you. Speak up more!
Kat: for taking over the RPG and just being as cool as you are. You better stay in touch with me!
Madder: You are a godsend on the webpages. Thank you.
Nyala: I left you out accidentally on the original letter but am taking the chance to thank you here. You have been great to have in the club as well and thanks for backing me up with your club. I promise to do the same.
Bonnie: another one where do I begin? For the soundtracks, the balcony page, your wonderful insight. The NLs from the SC, everything else. Goddess, I am so glad we are friends. I love you, you redheaded TVD nut!
Delos: for being another great male member!
Keya: for being a totally zany male member who I am gonna meet soon!
Matt: for being the one to start the reprint crusade. I'm glad I got to meet you.
Refuse: for being the only member to make me dizzy with your posts. You were another one that tried us on the CM list but you have been great since joining the NW.
Sapphira: for scanning the overseas covers I don't have as well as Cat Magic.
Theorn: for taking over the IM list. J
Sephiroth: ok so you're quiet but you had a hand in the reprint crusade as well.
Eadaoin: for sending information for the Strange Fate page.
Euterpe: for being U Twerp I am not aMUSEd. You remind me of Bonnie. All charm. No inhibitions.
Moon: for doing the NW soundtracks
Calendula: for the sabbats page and the other info you told me about your dad. HEHHEHE
Calista: for letting me tell you what name I wanted you to use. And the new project Poppy will contact you about.
Eyleanan: for your information for the SC pages. A BIG help.
Kate: for offending just about the entire club with one email. LOL J (and I mean this in a good way)
Aiken: for amusing everyone with your tale of being my online soulmate.
Last but not least:
Scott: who formed the MC where I met the people who helped me form this club. I love you man!
Lisa Jane Smith: who will be sent a copy of this letter to let her know what an impact she has had on over 470 people. You are the reason for it all and I thank you for the magical worlds you have opened our minds to. Your characters live and breathe and I am so glad you are alive and sharing your gifts with us.
And if I forgot anyone by name, I am sorry but I thank you just the same. And if I have offended anyone by thanking them for something they don't like, I am sorry. That stuff is all in the past and forgotten and I'm glad you're still here.
I am glad all of you are here in the club. And I thank each and every one of you for joining and leaving your mark. Even the lurkers have contributed just by being you. You don't have to do anything but be here and I am so glad you are. I couldn't make this club work as well as it does without everyone's input.
Thanks again and let's make it a great second year!!!!!!!!!
As always, all ideas, contributions, and suggestions are welcomed from you. It's with your help that the club is as successful and wonderful as it does. Though it may sometimes seem like it (LOL), this is not a dictatorship and your suggestions and opinions are always welcomed. Flames, however, are not.
GROUP HUG everyone.
I love you all even if some of you try me at times by not following rules and not having common sense. You are still part of the NW and so you are a part of me.
Unity/power of moon have I over thee
Cassie
Founder Night World: Circle Daybreak Online
July 1997