Master Post
Because I'm too poor to afford a website, and too lazy to set upa free-hosted one. So, here we have the master post for all things Set Out For Ithaka. LOTS OF STUFF, guys; links that go to chapter-posts, links that go to posts with more links that go to posts. I tried to be a precise and concise with everything, but if there's anything weird, comment here and I'll try and get it all fixed up.
Chapters
Prologue - November, 2007
Chapter 1 - November, 1983
Chapter 2 - January, 1997
Chapter 3 - May, 2005
Chapter 4 - December, 1983
Chapter 5 - August, 1997
Chapter 6 - January, 1984
Chapter 7 - November, 2004
Chapter 8 - November, 2005
Chapter 9 - May, 1984
Chapter 10 - March, 2006
Epilogue - Texas
Acknowledgements
I'd like to thank the Academy First off, I'd like to thank audrarose, estrella30, and wendy. They, through their hard work and dedication, put on a wonderful Big Bang year--and it was just that: Big. I believe the final count was something like over 100 stories, or something? Considering the sizes of the other Big Bang challenges, we are kinda a monster. And, though a lot of the responsibility is on the authors and artists themselves, I know as a community maintainer it can be a little nerve wrecking at times. You ladies are wonderful!
Also, to miiko_ashida. You were there for me when I wanted to not talk about the Big Bang, you were there when I wanted to tear my own hair out of my scalp, and you were there when Dean needed a middle name and Mary needed a maiden name. You hand-held through the titling, and through worrying about whether I was going to get an artist. You were the first person to read this thing, to pick through the big mistakes, and ended up being one of the ones that went through for the tiny details (and I think there are still some of those) as well. Thank you so much for everything you do for me. I love you.
To anime_angel_ash. You were there when I was struggling with various ideas, when I bounced from J2 to J2 and finally settled on SPN. You gave me random SPN pictures when I wanted to throw things at my computer, and made me laugh even when I wanted to cry. You refused the first draft (and understandably), but read the second and picked through it with eyes that know essentailly nothing about SPN and the nuances surrounding it. Thank you for being there, and for not being there as well.
To coloredink, who had nothing to do with this story. You have inspired me to new heights in my writing. You introduced me to SPN, and listened to me prattle about random stories ideas. You punched me in the throat over the internet when I was being an idiot, and consoled me sarcastically through each and every one--or at least the vast majority--of my frustrations with my own writing. In part, this piece is dedicated to you.
To angstpuppy, my artist. You took the story and made something of it I had never dreamed. Your artwork makes my skin crawl in the best kind of way. I was so lucky to be able to write something that inspired that kind of work out of you, and so grateful to have had you as my artist.
To Sam and Dean Winchester, who will one day get their happy ending, no matter what that happy ending might be.
To Eric Kripke and the writers of Supernatural, without whom we would not have a fandom.
To Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, without whom I probably would not watch this show because, yes, I am just that shallow
And to all my fellow Big Bangers. I've read many of these stories. Some I have enjoyed incredibly. Others I have passed over idly. But I know your pain, friends. In part, this piece is dedicated to you all as well: WE MADE IT.
And, though they will never see this (I think?), to my girlfriend Kirstyn, who puts up with me rambling nonstop about SPN whenever I'm given half a change; and our friend Megan, who told me the ending of season 3 before I ever saw it, and who I now look at and scream about that same ending. You guys both help my world go round.
Artwork
All artwork was done by the amazing angstpuppy. She worked hard on everything, and made me some beautiful pieces that I love and charish. All art is photomanipulation.
The Coverart
Mary, Dean and Sam, and the Impala
Mary and Sam
Mary's Gravestone
Dean and Sam
Extras
The craziness that came and went from my head that helped create this wild story.
The original premise explained - why it was I chose this as my story, and how it came to be
The wordcount graph - how much of each chapter made up the whole thing
Ages and Places - how old the boys were when Mary moved them, a quick run down
Ithaka, by Constantine Cavafy - the poem that gave this story its title, and why it's relevent to the story, Set Out For Ithaka