Dear Contest Entrants, Winners, and Observers:
On Sunday I was privvy to a most important meeting between three illustrious beings; the contest judges. Their decisions were unanimous, and six finalists were chosen. Without any further suspense I am going to reveal those finalists.
Fantasy Winner: Forbidden, by J. Grace Pennington
Fantasy Runner Up: The Four Choices, by Riniel Jasmina
Science Fiction Winner: Resurrection Train, by Fidle
Science Fiction Runner Up: Verdani’s Key, by BushMaid
Historical Winner: Mama’s Clock, by Lady InkSword
Historical Runner Up: The Messenger, by BushMaid
Congratulations to the winners and the contestants! Thanks so much for entering. I’m glad I wasn’t one of the judges and had to pick between all of your wonderful entries. Before everyone runs off to party a few basic instructions.
Winners: Along with your judge’s feedback you will receive a request for your mailing address. This will be forwarded by yours truly to the judge giving away your prizes, and you will be in contact with them from that point.
Runner Ups: You will also be asked to give your mailing address, so that I can send you your printed certificate. If you do not wish to disclose your address I can send you the digital version, which you can print out and fill out yourself. Your e-mail address will also be forwarded to the judge who is sending you an e-book.
If you already own the book or ebook you receive: have a contest! Host a giveaway on your blog. Make a present of it to your best friend. Refer to the
original announcement to find out what book you will be receiving.
Everyone Else: If, for some reason, you do not receive your judges feedback in the next 24 hours shoot me an e-mail and I’ll get on it. As promised you will all be e-mailed with helpful comments from both me and the judges.
In Addition: The “
Ask the Judges” thread is open for participation. Remember the judges put in a lot of time and effort into this contest, so be nice, not demanding. Also remember that everyone has room to improve. Just because you didn’t win doesn’t mean that you didn’t write a remarkable entry. I encourage all of you to go back over your entry and try to find ways to improve it. You can post it in the Fireside to get further feedback from your fellow HWers.
All the winning entries will be posted on the blog. We request the winners and runner ups to refrain from posting their work publicly until it has appeared on HW’s blog. The stories will be posted over a six week period in the following order:
Fantasy Winner
Science Fiction Winner
Historical Winner
Fantasy Runner Up
Science Fiction Runner Up
Historical Runner Up
Overall comments: I have a bit of feedback for each and every one of you, right here and right now. Along with declaring the winners the judges also had one piece of advice that every single contestant could benefit from. In the words of Aubrey Hansen:
“If I could give advice to all the contestants as a whole... it’d be to watch your arc; especially your ending. We had a lot of stories with great premises and even great writing, but it was missing an arc, or the ending flopped.”
So there you are. One ending I can guarantee that did not flop was the one to this contest! Brilliant job, guys, and stick to our blog like glue for the next six weeks!
You all did a fantastic job. And thank you, judges! You guys are awesome! 
Congratulations! 
!!!
*Waits* 
Great contest, guys, thanks for putting it together. Can't wait to read the other entries.
Don't hurt yourself.... gluing yourself to the blog sounds kind of scary. 
