There is some belief out there that HPFF Staffers are myths…that we aren’t really real but made up characters from Jay’s imagination. It’s odd when I get the occasional response to an email I sent that says something like “oh, I expected an automatic response!” I hate to dispel this myth, really, because it has proved quite fun on many occasions. But, alas, it’s not true.

Now the story about the staffers being members of a secret society…well, that is pretty much true. Membership is required, a unique and rather embarrassing hazing practice takes place and there is an initiation phase. Not to mention that all staffers must be approved by current members so we have our own little voting procedures too. Okay, well, it’s perhaps not quite so dramatic as all that but being a staffer is a world unto itself.

Okay, Star Bucky has informed me that I am once again rambling and must get to my point: do you know that group of loyal users you hang around with? The ones that are there to review your every chapter? The ones that give you advice on your work and give you a pep talk when things aren’t going quite the way you planned? This is what the HPFF staff is to me.

They stand with me through the night, page after page, as we read stories in the queue together. Page after page, good fic or bad, they are there to keep me laughing, slip me glasses of virtual lemonade and fresh baked cookies just to keep me going when I’m weary. They are all wonderful, fantastic and helpful people. Even ones on different times zones where we meet up only occasionally – they are still the best little secret society I could ever hope to be a part of.

Yep, I suppose I’m rambling and don’t have much of a point here. I just thought a few staffers might need some hugs about now….whether from me or you fellow users. So hug your HPFF staffer when you get a chance – even they have down days and could use the same giggly feeling that a new fresh review or a newly validated chapter gives to you.

Happy Writing!