12Gamin Davis
I enjoyed Gamin's Combined story "Kindred Spirits" - a dream sequence between Spock and Tuvok (as well as Kirk and Janeway) very much. It makes you realize how much alike the four characters really are, despite the fact that two are from TOS and two are from VOY. I only wish there was a way to actually bring our two Vulcans together as they did with Spock and Data in "Unification II"...I'd love to see that, but I guess the closest we're going to come is this story.
-- Debra Wimer - Wed, 02 Apr 2003 05:10:49 -0500

14Jungle Kitty
The award for most clever, laugh out loud story of the year has got to go to The Amazing Magical Adventures of Lt. Kitty. This story seamlessly blends elements of LOTR and Trek to form a whole that is much more than just the sum of its parts. Only a master like Jungle Kitty could pull this off.
-- Rocky - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 10:04:46 -0400

24Paula Stiles (the Snowleopard)
Alex Sawalha is one of the best OC's to hit the newsgroup in recent memory. He made a big impression on me in his cameo in Paula's DS9-Bashir story last year, and it is nice to see him starring on his own. I look forward to reading more of his adventures.
-- Rocky - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 10:05:24 -0400

26Rob Morris
Nobody combines series and ideas like Rob, or approaches his level of prolificity. He could be a category by himself, and in fact MIS is tailor-made for his unique blends of characters, setting and time periods. He moves with equal ease among every character and combination possible.
-- Rocky - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 10:06:14 -0400

1Alara Rogers
Who does Q better than Alara Rogers? Nobody, that's who! And it doesn't matter which Q, she excels at them all. " Listen: there's a hell of a good universe next door; lets go " gives us her trademark blend of pathos, humor, and practicality. Well done, Alara!
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:09:09 -0400

7Christinecgb
Always a heavy hitter wherever she focuses her talent, ChristineCGB gave us a memorable and lovely Janeway/Shelby story. Please write more this year! Please! I'll beg.
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:09:32 -0400

16Kat
Kat delivered one of the most impressive debut stories I've seen in a long time, and in a pairing I'd never have envisioned working. Lovely style, lovely attention to detail. I do hope Kat has more to say this year!
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:09:57 -0400

18Kelly Meding
Blending Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Enterprise wasn't something I could easily envision. But in Alternity, Kelly Meding did it easy! I applaud that effort and hope she has more such stories for us in the future.
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:10:13 -0400

17Kelly Chambliss
Kelly always delivers a unique and challenging viewpoint when she writes. Impress was no different as it brought us an unflinching picture of Kai Winn at her most gullible and dangerous moment. Well done!
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:10:29 -0400

24Paula Stiles (the Snowleopard)
Paula continues the saga of Alex Sawalha, a most interesting and vivid OC in a fascinating character study of not only him but his relationship with his Vulcan wife, and the dynamics with and between Ro Laren and Tom Riker. Paula also offered us filks and drabbles that made me smile. Great year, Paula! Well done!
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:10:55 -0400

30Seema
Seema gave us two lovely Picard/Janeway stories that show what could be a very tough sell of a relationship between these two. But Seema makes it look easy, carving out the similarities between these two isolated captains, as well as showing the eventual differences that will tear them apart. Well done!
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:11:15 -0400

34Ventura33
Ventura33 excels in this series. She is the mistress of wacky, the queen of clever, the high priestess of alien angst! And she's a damn fine writer that can take the most improbable setting, pairing, or concept and make it work and work spectacularly well. The most memorable story of hers for me this year in MIS was Scarlett's Conquest. I would never have thought of blending Gone with the Wind and Trek, but I'm sure glad that Ventura33 did. This was a riot! In Cybernetic Cadet 4 - Freshman Keg Party, Ventura33 again turns her focus on the Borg, and nobody, in my humble opinion, has a better handle on that species than this author! The pain of humiliation is very real in this story. Catfight in a Hot Vulcan Desert brought giggles and lots of smiles. In Lessons Learned, Ventura33 takes what was a somewhat cowardly act on the part of two Deep Space Nine characters and finds a way to redeem it with the unlikely assistance of Ro Laren. Lovely story, touching in the extreme (the re is a scene near the end that makes me cry every time I read this), and so well-written. Which is a given when you are reading a Ventura33 story: it will be well-written, fast-paced, full of snappy dialogue, and will make you think!
-- Djinn - Sun, 06 Apr 2003 20:11:32 -0400

34Ventura33
Ventura 33 does some very compelling writing. No matter what the story she usually manages to bring a tear to my eye or evoke unexpected emotions.
-- Singularity - Tue, 08 Apr 2003 19:06:21 -0400

1Alara Rogers
I loved Alara's "Listen, there's a hell of a good universe next door." I thought Charlie X of TOS and Amanda Rogers of TNG is a fascinating pair to place together given all they have in common. I loved the descriptions, the narrative, the dialogue between them, indeed, their whole interaction.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:04:07 -0400

11Djinn
Even before I had ever seen Buffy, I discovered Djinn's two stories crossing Trek and Buffy and enjoyed them. Djinn’s AU S/Cha "Never Alone" and "Natural Enemies" are great fun, perfect blends of the two words and satisfying horror/action adventure. Not only are Spock and Chapel done well, but Kirk, McCoy, and Uhura are vividly drawn here.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:05:23 -0400

16Kat
I loved "Tourniquet." The way Kat used the present tense in the story lent the story a mood I found very striking. The story is centered on Janeway and Beverly Crusher and I love the subtle way they slowly reveal themselves to each other. There is an interesting characterization of Picard here too.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:06:13 -0400

17Kelly Chambliss
"Impress" was--well impressive. Some truly lovely writing an an indelible portrait of Kai Winn.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:07:00 -0400

18Kelly Meding
I loved Kelly Meding's "Alternaty," a great ENT/Buffy xover. She writes both sets of characters with understanding and affection and brings them together in a credible way. The story was a great read, keeping me to the edge of my seat. All the voices rang true, and it was so vividly written the story unrolled before my eyes as if it was on a screen. I loved the ending with that scene between T'Pol and Trip. The original characters were vivid too--I liked Ensign Harris and the Warden crew. Wonderful story, longer than most, but well worth the read. I certainly would love a sequel.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:09:32 -0400

24Paula Stiles (the Snowleopard)
I love Paula's Sawalha story and drabble that features a very appealing original fictional character. Her story "You're Lucky I'm a Civilized Man" is outstanding: well written with vivid characterizations of both original and canon characters from Sawalha and his wife T'Nar to such familiar canon characters as Bashir, O'Brien, Ro, and Tom Riker. The story features an interesting take on Vulcan sexuality. I loved one line from Sawalha about his Vulcan wife always being able to find a logical reason for a certain something and T'Nar's response! The story also has an interesting depiction of the post-Dominion war Starfleet trying to integrate the former Marquis into their ranks. I also liked her series of drabbles on "payback" including the one on Sawalha "The Best Man." I should also mention her fun filk "Have a Holly Jolly Unspecified Holiday." Lovely work.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:11:40 -0400

24Paula Stiles (the Snowleopard)
I loved Seema's pair of Picard/Janeway stories "Touch." and "Beautiful." Since the two stories are told from different points of view, it was fascinating to read them side by side and get first Janeway's, then Picard's perspective. This is a pairing I've seen before, but rarely done so well. Seema shows how they'd be well-matched in many ways, both so self-contained and isolated in their own ways. Given the dual points of view it was interesting to see the misunderstandings and miscommunications between them and what they observe of each other.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:12:39 -0400

30Seema
I loved Seema's pair of Picard/Janeway stories "Touch." and "Beautiful." Since the two stories are told from different points of view, it was fascinating to read them side by side and get first Janeway's, then Picard's perspective. This is a pairing I've seen before, but rarely done so well. Seema shows how they'd be well-matched in many ways, both so self-contained and isolated in their own ways. Given the dual points of view it was interesting to see the misunderstandings and miscommunications between them and what they observe of each other.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:13:50 -0400

34Ventura33
For me Ventura is queen of the crossover. I've never read another author defter at making two disparate worlds meet together in a way that seems natural and unforced. One of Ventura's strongest gifts as a writer imo is the vivid imagination that is so expert at getting us into an alien mindset. So it shouldn't be surprising that crossovers with other series than Trek or stories combining Trek series should bring something special out of her. Her story combining the universes of the original series with Gone With the Wind is brilliant and hilarious. She captures Scarlett so well with all her vivaciousness and coquettishness and with a wicked satiric bite in her encounter with Kirk and company. Her "Lessons Learned" was a TNG/DS9 story that I found very moving in parts and a wonderful look at Ro and her demons. "Catfight in a Hot Vulcan Desert" was hilarious and very satisfying in its depiction of a T'Pring who is more than a shallow monster and delights with its subversive take on the affair. And Ventura, who does such a wonderful job with the Borg, is at her best in "Cybernetic Cadet 4: Freshman Keg Party" funny and poignant by turns.
-- Rabble Rouser - Fri, 11 Apr 2003 01:15:39 -0400

13Jemima
Jemima again wowed me with her filk in this category, with the way she makes it look so easy!
-- Sara - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:14:55 -0400

30Seema
Ah, Seema and her highly persuasive OTP really made a mark for me in MIS this year. Also, a very cute drabble just really wrapped it all up. Thanks Seema! May you convert them all.
-- Sara - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:24:50 -0400

16Kat
Kat really impressed me with her beautiful writing and interesting characterizations.
-- Sara - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:35:36 -0400

1Alara Rogers
It was good to see a new story from Alara again. As always, well-written and intriguing.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:46:48 -0400

4Cait N.
Cait N's "A Hairy Situation" is possibly one of my favorite MIS stories this year. I loved seeing Morn described so, well, without Morn actually talking himself. Great job!
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:47:45 -0400

7Christinecgb
Christine is a lovely writer no matter what she tries and her outing in MIS is no exception. "Accidental Suicide" was a lovely story.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:48:24 -0400

11Djinn
Djinn always comes up with something creative and her crossover fics are very enjoyable.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:49:12 -0400

13Jemima
Jemima is one of my favorite authors, mostly based on her uncanny ability to filk like no one else. "The Simple Joys of Captaincy" was no exception.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:49:51 -0400

14Jungle Kitty
Jungle Kitty does a wonderful job and I loved "The True Outer Space Magical Adventures of Lieutenant Kitty."
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:52:10 -0400

15Julie Evans
I loved Julie's "Olympic News Brief." How timely and what a riot. I won't forget T'Klutz anytime soon.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:52:43 -0400

16Kat
Kat is an intriguing new voice in Trek fic. Hopefully we'll see more from her in the future.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:53:13 -0400

17Kelly Chambliss
Kelly is one of my favorite all-time Trek writers and no matter what she writes, she does it beautifully and with style and makes it utterly believable. "Impress" is one of my favorite stories posted this year. Well done, Kelly!
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:53:55 -0400

24Paula Stiles (the Snowleopard)
Paula is another writer who constantly makes me think with her characterizations and clever turn of phrase. I really like her Alex Sawalha character and "Have a Holy Jolly Unspecified Holiday" was really a treat. Well done, and thanks for sharing your talent with us, Paula.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:55:46 -0400

26Rob Morris
Rob Morris is the definition of MIS. Everything he writes in this category is innovative and creative. He sees crossovers and unncanny remixes and does a superb job with all of it.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:56:35 -0400

28RoseKira
RoseKira always does a lovely job and I loved her TOS/DS9 crossover, "In Memory Remain."
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:57:06 -0400

29Sara Goose
Sara's "Golden Gateways" intrigued me for its stylistic quality and the illumination it subtley shed over the events still to come. Another lovely fic and great job from Sara.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 22:58:20 -0400

34Ventura33
When I think of MIS, Ventura33 is another person who comes immediately to mind. She's invariably clever, always interesting, and definitely one to come up with a surprise or a twist that tantalizes. I think my favorite MIS fic by her was "Lessons Learned," a story that really showcased Ventura33's strong storytelling skills. Well done.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 23:00:04 -0400

31Stephen Ratliff
I enjoyed working with Stephen on the Awards Dinner last year and the enthusiasm he brought to that project was refreshing. It's the same kind of enthusiasm he applies to all of his fic writing efforts.
-- Seema - Mon, 14 Apr 2003 23:01:01 -0400