Behind the Curtain: Reveal

AND SO IT IS TIME…

WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR…

Shoot, sorry, Capslock.

This has been an extremely challenging contest to judge. I was able to winnow down our 62 entries to eight finalists with some difficulty, but picking the final four winners was arbitrary to an insane extent. I’ve lost the last little bit of my sanity (if it offends, plucketh it out), but I did finally decide.

As a reminder, this will be my last contest till Spring 2013 and oh, was it a doozy.

So with no further ado, here are the WINNARS of the Behind the Curtain Flash Fiction Writing Contest (and no, that’s not a typo).

Be sure to go and read all the winners. And, for that matter, all the entries. Give out some of that author comment love.

In no particular order:

The Winner of the Dark Arts Package

Sophie Moss (@smosswrites) for Scarlett’s Rose Petal Revenge

Sophie offers us a perfectly plotted revenge tale, engrossing and chilling. She was also the winner of Twitter’s #FanFav contest!

Sophie wins an original canvas by artist/writer Angie Richmond, personalized with a quote from her winning story.


The Winner of the Dark Veil Package

J. Whitworth Hazzard (@zombiemechanics) for his creepy, stalker story, Scopophiliac

Thanks, J., for making me check behind the curtains every time I come home at night.

J. wins a copy of the Veil and Subdue album, plus a handmade one-of-a-kind libretto book by composer Paul Ramey (which I seriously almost kept) with behind the scenes goodies, autographed by myself and Paul.

The Winner of the Dark Romance Package

Jessica Marcarelli (@jmarcarelli) for her entry, Behind the Curtain

So glad Jessica revived my long-dormant childhood fear of clowns. I didn’t need that sleep anyway.
Jessica wins a digital copy of Sophie Moss’ newest release, The Selkie Enchantress.
If you didn’t win a copy of Sophie’s wonderful book, you can get it here.


THE DARK FAIRY
GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE
The wondrous prizes include:
* A copy of Veil & Subdue.
* A magnificent writing notebook by Ruth Long aka @bullishink.
* The winning author will be featured on Yearning for Wonderland in an in-depth interview. This interview will highlight your book, blog, or any other artistic project of your choosing. Anna will then promote this interview heavily on Twitter/Facebook and G+.
*The winning author’s story will be recorded by Anna in a creative/theatrical recording of your Behind the Curtain entry.
* The winning author will be Anna’s partner in her next flash fiction contest (in Spring 2013).
*DRUMROLL PLEASE*

AND THE GRAND CHAMPION OF THE DARK FAIRY PRIZE PACKAGE

 

Melanie Conklin

WOOOOOOOOOO! Go forth to her website and pour out congratulations and love, as it was a mightily hard-fought battle but her story prevailed.
Melanie’s entry, The Catch, is a pithy bite of dark flash fiction with a crunch at the end. I was filled with dread the entire time I read it and she built the suspense to the unbearable climax. Well done, Melanie! I look forward to collaborating with you on my next flash fiction contest in 2013!
When the audio recording of The Catch is posted, I will let everyone know!

Congratulations to all of our entrants and thank you so much for giving me a peek of what resides behind the curtain.

Behind the Curtain: #FanFav Winner

I generally run a #FanFav contest on Twitter for my writing contests. It’s a great way to generate enthusiasm and it’s so fun to hear the feedback as writers compliment writers with their votes and other comments.

Friendships are made, in these petite mutual admiration societies, and so I never apologize for all the hooting and the hollering that I have to do to get people to vote for each other.

This #FanFav went surprisingly smoothly (probably because I have run two others now). You might recall earlier #FanFav winners Ruth Long and Cory Eadson.

This #FanFav can be no surprise to anyone paying attention to the contest yesterday, as this lady writer garnished almost twice as many votes as anyone else.

*drumroll please*

The Winner and Twitter #FanFav Champion is:

 

MISS SOPHIE MOSS!

Sophie wrote a humdinger of a revenge tale called Scarlet’s Rose Petal Revenge. Please go read it if you haven’t and give Sophie some comment love. Be sure to congratulate her on her #FanFav win.

Remember, the winners of the Behind The Curtain Contest have yet to be announced. That announcement will be made early next week.

Behind the Curtain: Loot, Prizes and Other Booty

No, I did not forget about prizes for Behind the Curtain. I have been stirring the cauldron in order for the best and most exciting prizes to float to the top. And, oh! What a range of prizes I have for this lovely contest. I’m not sure who will be the luckiest – all the packages are amazing!

The Dark Arts Package

Talented mixed media artist Angie Richmond (Twitter: @write_me_happy ; Etsy Store: Angie Richmond Designs) has donated an original canvas to the winner of this package (value: $50).  This 8″ x 10″ original mixed media work on canvas will feature one of Angie’s signature ‘dark trees’ and a quote from the winning work.

 
(Important Note: This is not an image of the prize, just a work by Angie at the same size. The prize will only feature the dark tree and the author’s quote from the winning story, not the bird. Artist reserves the right to change the details of dimensions or theme of this package, though the value will remain the same.)


The Dark Veil Package 

With all of these entries celebrating the dark secrets behind the curtains of the arts, we cannot forgot music. The winner of the Dark Veil Package will receive their own copy of the haunting gothic rock opera, Veil & Subdue. Veil & Subdue is the creation of Paul Ramey (Twitter: @paulramey) and Anna Meade.

For a sample, click below.

It Might Tonight – Music and Lyrics by Paul Ramey, vocals by Anna Meade and Paul Ramey.

Just Like Freedom – Music and lyrics by Paul Ramey, Vocals by Anna Meade.

In addition, the winner will receive a beautiful copy of the opera’s libretto, signed by Paul Ramey and Anna Meade.

The Dark Romance Package

For those who are not familiar with Sophie Moss (@smosswrites on Twitter), she is the authoress of the dark paranormal romance series Selkie Island Trilogy: The Selkie Spell, The Selkie Enchantress and the soon-to-be released The Selkie Sorceress. Sophie has a huge buzz going on Twitter and a devoted following, but was kind enough to donate a digital copy of her newest book, The Selkie Enchantress, to the Behind the Curtain contest.

It’s a perfect fit, for nothing is as it seems on Selkie Island and Sophie’s deft twists and turns will definitely leave you yearning for the third book. Sophie’s work and words were recently featured on the USA Today website – she is one to watch!
Sophie Moss, author of Seal Island Trilogy
Oh, this is what you’ve all been waiting for, THE ULTIMATE GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE for the winner of the Behind the Curtain Contest!


THE DARK FAIRY GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE

First, you too will get a copy of Veil & Subdue. But that is just the beginning of the Dark Fairy’s gifts bestowed upon you. 
Next, you will receive a magnificent writing notebook by our own Writing Organizational Guru, Ruth Long aka @bullishink.
 
Ruth puts us all to shame with her organizational mastery. This notebook can be used for NaNoWriMo or your Work in Progress and comes with a wealth of writing tips. Hordes of authors have begged for these notebooks AND I SECURED ONE FOR OUR WINNAR. HAHAHAHAH!

(Important Note: This is a photo of Ruth’s amazing writing notebook, for HER WIP. Yours will be similar but not identical. Ruth reserves the right to add or subtract contents.)
*blows trumpets of glad tidings*

Because your story was the finest of 61 entries, the Dark Fairy will offer things that NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER RECEIVED.
Allow me to repeat that. NO ONE ELSE HAS EVER RECEIVED THESE PRIZES. Excited yet? You ought to be. 

Winning author, rejoice! Dark Fairy promotions ahead!

 

* The winning author will be featured on Yearning for Wonderland in an in-depth interview by the Fairy Queen herself.

This interview will highlight your book, blog, or any other artistic project of your choosing. Anna will then promote this interview heavily on Twitter/Facebook and G+.
*The winning author’s story will be recorded by Anna
No, you did not read that wrong. Anna has a home recording studio and will do a creative/theatrical recording of your Behind the Curtain entry.
(This recording is yours, to use for any promotional/creative purpose of your choosing. This recording may not be sold or repurposed into another audio project.)
And, finaaaaallly…
* The winner author will be Anna’s partner in her next flash fiction contest (in Spring 2013). 
The winner will be heavily involved in this contest and will have input on the theme, promotions, format, prizes, etc. 
Who wouldn’t want to dance with the dark fairy?
Now that I have whet your appetites, please don’t turn on each other. Writer-on-writer murder will cause your entry to be disqualified. Maiming, on the other hand….
#MOOGHOOHAHA