Albus Paulson is not my name, but the name of one of my characters. I took Albus from Albus Dumbledore, and Paulson from St. Paul, MN. After Deathly Hallows I am not exactly Albus Dumbledore's biggest fan, and I did not end up going to university in Minnesota. I created this profile and this name a while ago and neither matches me very well now, but I won't bother to change what works. For the same reason I haven't taken down my old fanfics, even though my writing has significantly improved since 2006/2007.

FYI, I'm female. Read the above sentence if you want my reasons for choosing a male penname.

I'm a recent college graduate with a BA in History from the Pacific Northwest. I have accidental specialty in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. I have won two essay contests and two major fellowships in that area, and I served as a research assistant to Robert Ericksen of Pacific Lutheran University in the fall of 2012. I have also spent a week with the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies in Washington, D.C. At the moment I am working on an original novel and a book of short essays. It is utterly surreal to watch everyone around me going "We're planless!" when I am already registered for a master's in history at a prestigious New England university in the fall.

I happen to be crazy about any number of fandoms. I read voraciously and even the occasional TV series or movie slips in sometimes.

My motto is taken from Alice Borchardt's the Wolf King: I am who and what I am, and in life or death I am free.

Proudest of, out of my written fanfic: hands down, Curtain Call. Part of it is that I wrote it at age 21 rather than 15 (god, please ignore anything before 2008!), and part of it is my use of my experience and expertise. My first new story in three years, and my first new story after I have spent more than 1000 hours immersed in blood, guts, gore and death for my Holocaust work. I have to admit that it shows. I have often joked that everything in my life devolves to two things: compelling narrative, and incredible violence. This is one of the ways to bring those twin obsessions together.

My works in progress are:

A rewrite of the entire Star Wars canon, starting 32 years before the events of A New Hope. Expect publication of this in summer 2014 at the earliest, if at all. The basics: Kal Skirata, Mandalorian warrior, failed father, damaged soul and mean-spirited little weasel, lands on Tattooine for a refuel. He never expected he'd be leaving the planet with a purchased slave (read: a new son) and a new lease on everyone's future. I am basing this story on the films (the least-meddled-with versions) and on the Republic Commando series of novels by Karen Traviss.

A work of original fiction that, a year ago, would have qualified for this site. Namely, a WWII thriller novel, with Nazis, treasures, and two British commandos, Watson and Holmes. In case you didn't know, the universe of Sherlock Holmes was recently released from American copyright. So for me, I guess, plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose. I got my start writing in fanfiction. Even as I have spent the last four years writing academically more often than not, I have never forgotten the debt I owe fanfiction in general and in particular.

On Hiatus:

Not Just A Potter. Harry Potter. May incorporate elements of DH, but not in regards to Dumbledore's family. Don't expect anything new on this in the forseeable future; my computer died and took all my files of this with it. Not to mention I find the whole thing vile. I've lived nearly a third of my life since I started this story, and my writing just doesn't match anymore.

Old Friends. Harry Potter, post DH and all the other good stuff about Albus Dumbledore's past. May be updated, but don't count on it. I love John and Albus, but they haven't told me what they did with their lives yet.

Challenges:

Just to Be, Just to Live: In which Dumbledore dies of the curse on his arm, not an Avada Kedavra, and when he goes into Death he wears Harry's face... Oh, just read my story Just to Be, Just to Live. I explain it better there, but I have enough on my plate with my WIPs. Help me out!

As One: Avatar AU of most of the second season and, thus, the third. I, however, don't think that I can write this and do it justice, so help me out!

Turn, Turn, Turn: After-canon story, i.e. many years later. I want to see the Hero (once Harry) shift to the Wise Old Man character (once Dumbledore). I want to read this, but don't think I can write this; help me out!

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I am semi-retired as a fanfiction author and reader. Do not expect frequent or lengthy updates of my current stories, or any new ones. I will be trying to focus on my master's degree, and writing my own works. My apologies to anyone who is offended by this, and/or my lack of updates. I blame homework, and my muse.

This is my collective disclaimer: None of this is mine but portions of the plotlines. nothing more, nothing less.