State of the Clan: 2024

It’s 2024 – I’m not even sure how we’re four years into a decade that has been chaotic at best.

Actually 2023 was a very stressful year for me.  There was the new job, that took a lot of my time away!  It’s a great job but can be very demanding, add in the commute.  I’ve had less time to focus on Sylum.   I was able to pull together a few fun items,  Dragons (during Seven Days) and aesthetics and story for Advent.   So was happy with being able to do that, because at one point I wasn’t sure where the year had gone.  One moment it was January next I was dealing with Advent! 

Now before we get into the actual State of the Clan, a few things.

Sylum is and forever will be a safe place!

We work hard to make this place as stress free as possible.  With our goal is to bring a smile and fun to your inbox each day.

Let’s look back at 2023!

 

We’ve had fun moments with the Sylum Events!  Okay there may have been some last minute scrambling … let’s just say I finished Unexpected Journey 6 days before it was to be posted!  But at least it was finished!!

This year Sylum Creators put out 48 new items!

• Videos: Only 1 this year but it was all DRAGONS!!
• Aesthetics: 14 – showcasing new characters, Sylum stories, and a couple of teasers
• Artwork: 20 – a beautiful sloth painting, along with gorgeous wallpapers for a variety of characters *Big kudos for Gil for some amazing artwork!
• Fanmixes: 3 – Deadpool had a fun playlist, plus Dragons, and one designed for the story Unexpected Journey
• Stories: 10 – New series from Gil ‘Crossroads’, a stormy courtship, yet to come for some Vampires, introduction to Dragons, and a Hobbit’s Tale.
• New Characters: 10 New Characters were added to the Wiki – 2 of those were Dragons.  

 

So what’s up for 2024?

 

Spring Fling: Sign Ups have already begun  – Event starts: March 31st
Seven Days of Summer: Sign Ups will begin April 1st – Event starts: July 1st
Sylum Advent: Sign Ups will begin September 1st – Event starts: December 1st

We encourage all who can and want to participate to sign up for Sylum Events.   There are many characters in the Wiki that do not have a lot of exposure.   You don’t have to write a 50K Story!  You can do a small snippet, artwork or an aesthetic, even a fanmix or video.   There are so many options!  Come join us this year and sign up for one of our yearly events.

 

Sylum Stories

 

I’m pretty sure the main question everyone has: Family.

Yes – the goal was to get it done last year.   It was a goal that didn’t happen.  Mainly between the new job and health issues, well honestly I was lucky to get the stories posted done.

While this is being worked on, there are other major stories being plotted out.  These all tie together, so all of them have to be done before anything gets posted.  So that’s been a challenge.

In the meantime Bob and Bob 2 are running around leaving plots everywhere.

Sylum Snippets

 

Those are still in full force it’s actually been a creative way to get small moments/stories out without the stress.   

I have a long list of prompts so keep an eye out for those!

Afternoon Fic

I would love to get back to these, but sadly that is not happening not with the new job.   Hence the above snippets more taking over where the Afternoon Fics where.

I do have a Cody/Obi-Wan story brewing in the background – it’s about half done … so maybe that will show up as a treat.

 

Sylum Stuff & Things

 

• Sylum Discord:  Yes we still have one!  We’re working to have more Discord Days, but alas there are times I’m beyond busy and just forget *sigh*
• Sylum Archive:  We upload Event Offerings pretty quickly – so make sure to check in to see what’s been posted.  Leave a comment!
• Sylum Blog:  Reminder to get posts in your email make sure to subscribe.  We don’t use social media (okay it does post to my very old tumblr account but that’s it)
• Sylum Wiki: All new characters introduced during Advent has been uploaded to the wiki.   We’re working to get more updated images through out the year.
• Sylum Security:  We changed the password back in October.  This is a yearly event.   So, please join the security group – to always get the up-to-date password.
• Guest Posts: Is anyone interested?  I could actually use the help on occasions.
• Sylum Con (AKA Clan Gathering):  There was a post about this earlier – please read and send in your thoughts.

 

Support Sylum

 

One of the best ways to support Sylum is by being active on the blog and archive.  All of us who work on Sylum throughout the year, do this because we love this universe, and the annoying assholes who control our lives … pointedly looks at the Meridii.

So please hit the like button, and leave a comment on the archive and the blog.

Other ways to help keep Sylum moving towards our 20th, which guys is now 1 Year AWAY … ONE.  Just think about that!

We will be doing a Fundraising Event, sometime in the summer, to help pay for the Hosting Fees, along with Spam Protection.   

 

To all those who have supported me through this crazy thing called Sylum.

• Gil – for the support, the amazing artwork and stories.
• taibhrigh – for the banners and for the wiki images I randomly send you at odd hours of the day
• Sparrow – *snags the rum*

But most importantly to my cohort in crime, my partner in all things.  Who keeps me sane, yet feeds the insanity. 

We’ve survived another year.  Hands over the stolen rum – here’s to 2024 – may it be filled with plots, adventures, and alien food!

And as we face 2024, please remember.

Enjoy Life 

Be Kind

Take care of yourself

Blessed Be,

Bj Jones (Nico aka The General)