Writer's Training Grounds: "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep" Submissions / "Bloom and Gloom" Prompts

The first half of season five is over, but we have fanfiction to fill the void until the show returns.

Before we move on to the usual stuff, I've got a small procedural change to this event.  It's come to my attention that the current system of emails with your questions going to our fanfiction inbox and then being forwarded to me hasn't been working well.  Apologies to anyone who has sent a question and didn't get an answer in time.

In order to make that system more effective, any questions or concerns about the event can now be sent directly to me at [email protected].

We're also doing another retroactive WTG post this week, this time about "Bloom and Gloom", which we didn't do an event for.  So grab those prompts and the latest submissions below the break.

Drawfriend Stuff #1595 - Queen Trixie

I was told we post too much Trixie, but until that mascot is done which has been delayed a million times due to convention season, Trixie is QUEEN!

Get some art below. Lots of some art. So much some art.

[1] Source

The Great of Powerful Trixie by Alasou

Nightly Discussion #417

I have no idea who this is but she's really cute. Discuss this mysterious mare while I cross my fingers that she isn't representing anything that can get me in trouble. I already went through a phase with a pony in that category. How dangerous!

Turns out it was the same mare. Uhh,  have a different one...

Or discuss whatever below.

Note: Drawfriend at 8:00! Sorry it's so late. Blame... whoever this mare is. Yeah. Discuss that too.

(New!) Twitter: Sethisto

Animation: Soup

We went editorialized, and now we go... wut? Pinkie Pie is buying soup or something. It's another one of those nights I guess. Get it down below!

The State of the Pony - How Healthy is the Fandom Right Now? (Part 1)

Friendship is Magic is five years old now, with years of incredible fan creations and achievements under it's belt. We have made a huge impact, especially here on the internet, and the ride is still going steady. The amount of things that come in every day, even during that insane year-long hiatus, never ceases to impress me. What was once a niche group on a random 4chan image board has grown into a nerd-culture dominating cartoon equine behemoth.

I get a lot of doom and gloom emails from people worried about ratings or their favorite artist no longer drawing ponies, and I figured it might be a good time to hop on here and clear up some things! There is no doubt that the fandom, as we know it, has changed a lot since the massive surge in 2012. Pony was a 24/7 thing for almost a year and a half, dominating millions of lives!  It still effects a huge amount of people, just not in the same, almost overwhelming way.

From EQD's standpoint, it's always interesting to see things evolve over time. We have been here since the beginning, and lived through every potentially fandom shattering event imaginable.  It's time to analyze where we, as a collective of equine enthusiasts, are at!

Head on down below the break for some STATE OF THE PONY. Look at how important that sounds.

Pony Pillow Pets Now Available on Amazon

The My Little Pony Pillow Pets that were announced at Toy Fair are now available over on Amazon. Each one clocks in at 30 bucks. If you haven't seen Pillow Pets before, expect a relatively hard plushie that can be folded up as a headrest or spread out as a pillow.

Have some links:

My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle Pillow Pet
My Little Pony Rainbow Dash Pillow Pet

Thanks to Deugar for sending them.

(New!) Twitter: Sethisto

Spotlight Music: Sunshine Sunshine (174UDSI Remix) /

Sunshine Sunshine got a creepy remix. I was wondering how long that would take! Join freaky pony stuff int he first slot, then follow up with a rap track dedicated to Moondancer. Get them below!

1.) Sunshine Sunshine Ladybugs Awake (174UDSI Remix) (Remix - Electronic)
2.) ReuelBrony - More than a Reflection (Vocal - Rap)

A Live Action Equestria Girls Show Apparently Happened in PEru

I don't know if this is a traveling show officially licensed by the Peru Hasbro team, or a specific single time event, but Peru had an Equestria Girls live action thing.

Unfortunately there aren't any subtitles, but you can still kinda get the idea I think. Or something.

Hasbro Releases Quarterly Report - Slight Decline in Pony Sales, But Nothing Too Serious

Hasbro has released it's usual investing report, covering the second quarter of this year. They were pretty light on the specifics when it came to pony, but they did note a 22% decline in the girls category with furby leading and pony joining NERF in slightly contributing.

So, what could it be caused by? Probably a lack of new product releases. Quarter two wasn't exactly bustling with merchandise releases outside of a limited number of pre-orders opening from various licensees. With Equestria Girls dropping soon, and the merchandise already invading stores as we move through Q3, chances are that will increase.

Here's to hoping the next few lineups in Hasbro released merchandise won't just be more cutie marks! So many cutie marks.

(New!) Twitter: Sethisto

Gameloft Discord Update Officially Releases - Discord, Starlight Glimmer, Bulk Biceps, and More

As many of you have noticed, the Discord update for the Gameloft My Little Pony game has officially arrived for both Android and iOS. This one introduces his chaotic house of madness, Starlight Glimmer, Bulk Biceps, along with a bunch of other small changes that effect the social side of the game, with a simple code system.

Head on down below the break for full patch notes, and images.

Cosplay Compilation #58

When was the last time we had a Cosplay post? It feels like forever. You know what we need more of in pony cosplay? Flutterbat! I saw one at Nightmare Nights Dallas last year that rocked!

Now go get cosplay below. Unfortunately no Flutterbat.

[1] Source

Yayy - Fluttershy Cosplay by blanelle29

Nightmare Nights Dallas 2015 Announces Heather Breckel

Comic fans out there have someone to look forward to meeting at NMND. Colorist Heather Breckel will be heading to Dallas for the usual convention madness. Head on down below the break for the details!

Comic: Night Time... Day time! / Twilight and Mac / Fluttershy's (spoilers) / Ascension #5 / Mend 26-27 / Past Sins: Revealing Truths

Comic time! Celebrate the phases of the moon and sun with moonbutt and sunbutt, and be wary of spoilers in number 3!

Click for full.

(NOTE: COMIC #3 HAS S5 SPOILERS)

Updates: 

(New!) Twitter: Sethisto

Early Morning Discussion #247

Edgy bat OC general. 

Err wrong website, go discuss whatever below!

(New!) Twitter: Sethisto