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joellestoneauthor

Announcing the Winners of the Short Story Contest!


First, can I just say how much I appreciate you guys? Your stories and poems were so awesome and I really enjoyed reading through them and being swept away into your different minds and worlds. Thank you so so much for participating and giving me that pleasure and support. ♡


Second, if you have any ideas on how to make contests even better, let me know through comments or an email or the contact form on the homepage. If you want stuff about contests to change, speak now or forever hold your peace. ;P


Third, a recap of the prizes.


1st Place:

  1. $25 Amazon gift certificate

  2. Help with brainstorming solutions for some of your WIP's tough spots

  3. A mock book cover

  4. Publication on my blog

  5. Lasting fame, glory, and bragging rights

2nd Place:

  1. $15 Amazon gift certificate

  2. A mock book cover

  3. Publication on my blog

  4. Lasting fame, glory, and bragging rights

3rd Place:

  1. $10 Amazon gift certificate

  2. Publication on my blog

  3. Lasting fame, glory, and bragging rights

The Winners

Now that that's out of the way, I suppose it's time to actually announce the winners, ey? :P Drumroll, please. In third place, we have...

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Strange Twists of Memory by Noah Cochran! I was honestly surprised that I enjoyed this unique approach to a normal-life circumstance. Our perspectives on the topic of his story are similar enough that I could relate, but different enough that I wasn't able to predict anything. I can't wait to share his story with you guys. :)


And in second place, we have...

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Seasons of Time by Emily Waldorf! Y'all may remember her poetry from last year's contest, and let me tell you, this year it's every bit as good. It was pretty short, only four stanzas, which definitely left me wanting more despite the fact that the theme and structure didn't allow for more. :( XD


And finally, in first place, we have...

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(Oh, come on. You didn't think I'd make it that easy, did you?)

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(Just a little farther...)

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(Keep going...)

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(Almost there...)

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(Y'all. I actually reached a point where Wix told me my post was too big to be published. 0_0 XD Ah well.)


A


N


Y


W


A


Y


The winner is...


T by Karissa Chmil! YOU. GUYS. Karissa's tale is both heartbreakingly beautiful and chock-full of witty humor at the same time. I was laughing at multiple points, but by the end there was a serious weight to the story that showcases what a well-balanced and skilled writer Chmil is. I seriously can't wait to share her story of teacup dragons and growing up and distanced brothers with you.


And, just because I want to, here's a runner-up: Let Go by Birds Rock! This story plunges you deep into the heart of a jungle tale told through the eyes of a fierce 14-year-old chief's daughter who makes and learns from her biggest mistake. The worldbuilding was fantastic - and there was a picture. :P So I figured it deserved an honorable mention.


Ok, that about wraps this one up. Congratulations to Noah, Emily, Karissa, and Birds!!! Thank you so much for your submissions. :) I'll be in touch with your prizes so keep an eye on those emails. For the rest of you, I'll spend the next few weeks posting their stories so you can read 'em. :) Stay tuned for that!


Until next time,

Take courage, pursue God, and smile while you still have teeth!! ;P

-Joelle

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Congratulations Karissa, Emily, Noah, and Birds!!! (The suspense was almost killing me! All those dots.... XD)

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Congrats everyone!! I can't wait to read these <3

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hadcake8it2
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I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THESE STORIES!!!!!!!!!!

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Emily Waldorf
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Congratulations Karissa, Noah, & Birds Rock. I can't wait to read these stories!

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Noah Cochran
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You literally killed me with your endless dots. Held my breath too long and had a seizure. I'll be sending you my medical bills.


So glad you enjoyed my story! That is easily the weirdest thing I have ever written. And I'm pumped to see Karissa's story! I'll do my best to interpret Emily's poem, but discerning the intellectual and sentimental depths of poetry has never been my strong point. 😄 Glad I joined!

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Emily Waldorf
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13 okt. 2023
Reageren op

Oh, I'm counting on it!


It was on SE--we we're doing a writing exercise where the players wrote from the POV of a character without telling whether the character was a man or woman. The judge (me, at that time) was to guess which it was. Idk, maybe that doesn't count as "reading your work".

You must not have written many short stories, then?


I'm glad to hear it. Oh, I'm right with you on the inability to understand some poetry: sometimes I'm not totally sure what my phone own is saying...

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