WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!

This contest-judging stuff is not easy. I saw some truly great concepts in some of these entries, and some seriously great writing. Sometimes both weren’t present in the same story. For this reason, I had to do some soul searching and ask myself what mattered more in this case: the prompt, or the product. I decided that the product trumps all, because even if a concept is first rate, it’s nothing if mechanics and execution don’t bear it out.

That being said, not one of the three top finishers in this contest tells a bad story. Each one of them sparked debate in the workshops, causing our editors to engage in some very lively conversation. No, I do not participate in these conversations, nor do I have a hand in editing any stories for my contests that pass through our submission queue. I don’t even read them there. But any piece of fiction that inspires philosophical debate is worth taking a second look at, because at that point it’s more than just a story. And for me, that’s the ultimate success for a piece of writing.

The top three finishers in this contest were chosen because of the extreme professionalism in their execution. The stories are flawless, considering the limited time frame. Could I nitpick them as an editor? I can nitpick anything. But did weaknesses jump off the page at me as I was reading? No. Technically, these authors know their craft. Ranking them was much more difficult. I could make a case for any of these three stories winning top prize.

ONE: 15 SBD

Ultimately, for first place, it came down to one line in one story that became indelible for me—stuck in my mind like a well-written jingle.

“… Manny read and studied everything he could find about mathematics and physics. It was his private pornography…”

Another snippet in that story stood out for me:

“Besides, without struggle who could be brave? Without the darkness, who would point to the light?

I have to award first place to Hive account@jonknight, if only because of the poetry he embedded in the prose. “The Manny-Della Effect” is an odd title, but the writing is sublime.

TWO: 10 SBD

Second place goes to another lyricist, Hive account@authorofthings. I really struggled with this. Her story deserves first place, too, but I had to make a decision, and find some kind of tie-breaker. “The Shepherd” is phenomenal.

THREE: 5 SBD

Hive account@negativer ’s “The End” could have won just as easily. It’s a very tightly written, solid piece of fiction that tells a compelling story. I’m not kidding when I say I agonized over how to rank these.

For other contestants who didn’t place, I beg you—plead with you—to bring your stories to The Writers’ Block so I can share some thoughts on how to knock your next effort clear out of Candlestick Park. Some of you are teetering right on the edge of finding your voice, and what I wouldn’t give to help you close that loop. I set the standards high for my contests, and this serves to weed out writers who don’t care deeply about their craft. That leaves only the ones who do, and I’d love a chance to work with you in the group. If you haven’t already joined the Block, please follow the link in the gif below and pay us a visit!