First off, we want to thank everyone for participating! We know many of you were neck deep in NaNo, but you took the time to figure out this complicated format, cobbled together a great little story, and submitted it to be judged by our cruel, mischievous, eyes! We hope you all at least had fun playing with the format and got comfortable enough with it so that when we go live on December 1st, you’ll be ready to hit the first prompt out of the park.
On our side of things it’s just been a blast! We had our doubts about this working out, but after this showing we feel like we’re definitely on to something… so, again… from the bottoms of our hearts… thank you.
(you can find the winner at the end of this post)
FAVORITE STORIES
These are the stories that the judge(s) personally loved, but didn’t quite make the cut. However, these stories definitely deserve recognition, pretty words, and a badge! If your story was considered a favorite, feel free to use the badge below and know that your tale hit us full in the heart.
J. D Wenzel’s favorite story:
I tried and lobbied hard to get this story into the Honorable Mention slot, but it fell just short, but this story hit me the hardest. Fernando Aires, English might not be your first or best language, but you manage to tell a story that so profound, so sad, and so heartening that I can only applaud you. Well done.
Ruth Long’s favorite story:
You went off the reservation and took us on a descent to madness. The reader is lured by the promise of therapeutic intervention, strung along by hope in its implementation and unexpectedly plunged into eternal darkness. Awesome story skills.
Lillie McFerrin’s favorite story:
My favorite story was Jo-Anne’s because it was such a creative take on Fishing. She stayed true to the wonderfully human stories she writes in a whimsical way.
HONORABLE MENTION:
J. D Wenzel: I want you to know I had the biggest grin on my face by the end of this story. Boy, did you have my attention with this story. Fantastic atmosphere, great character, and a truly intriguing world… I only wish I could read more!
Ruth Long: You have ever-so-skillfully knocked your first foray into flash fiction out of the park! A whole world lives inside your entry, complete with characters, description, setting and traditions. Pure story magic.
Lillie McFerrin: Vockler’s story was wonderful because she was able to paint such a vivid picture in only a few lines. I was drawn in from the beginning.
You came close, SO close to glory, but unfortunately there was just one story a little better than yours. We hope that the badge we’ve crafted for you will be the fuel for your creative fire so that your next entry will outshine today’s winner.
THE WINNER:
J.D Wenzel: Let me say, right off the bat, I just had a feeling. It’s why I kept pestering you to write this story… and I am DAMN glad that I did. The raw power of this story is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for when I began BCF. I read it three or four times over before I could finally look away, the story is horribly beautiful and resonates with the power of your voice. Well done, Jalisa.
Ruth Long: You put a powerful spin on the prompt and delivered a knockout. Crisp styling, unflinching detail and vivid imagery make for a story that is as lyrical as it is chilling. Top-notch storytelling.
Lillie McFerrin: I loved the poetic prose in Blackman’s piece. It was a truly beautifully unique take on a horrific story.
Well, you did it, you won the Beta Event… unfortunately it doesn’t have the fantastic set of prizes we’re lining up for the official tournament, but we hope that this cupcake will be a good enough replacement. Don’t get complacent, though, I’m sure that many great stories will be there vying to take the title of Monthly Mahatma next month!
