And the Six Word Winner Is...

Photo by the talented Grace


Jenny! Jenny is another very talented lady, so be sure to check out her writing blog.

Here's Jenny's winning entry:

Dear Waterproof Mascara Company. You lied.

There were a lot of worthy contenders, which did not surprise me. I know how many awesome writers are out there, because I read your blogs!

So how did I narrow down my choice? I looked for a six word story that started the wheels turning. One that began to create a story in my mind. One that intrigued me enough that I wanted to know more.

The winning entry convinced me there must be quite an interesting tale behind what prompted those six little words. Don't you agree?

Congratulations to Jenny.  Your $25 prize will soon be on its way. And a huge thanks to each and every entrant. You are all absolutely amazing! (Great alliteration, eh?) 

Speaking of amazing, today Critter Alley hit a milestone. We now have 100 followers!

Thank you so much, dear readers. Without you there would be no Critter Alley.

Because what would be the point?

Blogger I Love You!

Anyone who knows me, knows I love hummingbirds. So when I decided to tweak Critter Alley and found this new design...well, let's just say it was a match made in heaven.

Sometimes Blogger annoys me terrifically. Other times I fall in love all over again.

Meanwhile, remember the Six Word Story contest! Check out my post of June 28 for full details. Place your entry in the comment section on the June 28 contest announcement post. The winner will receive $25 and publication on the Critter Alley blog for the whole world to enjoy!

Here's a rules refresher:

Contest entries will be accepted from June 28-July 12, 2010
One entry per person, so send your best work
Entry must contain 6 words; no more, no less
Story topic of your choice, but no porn or gore--we're a family friendly site!
Enter on any of the above dates, but enter as a comment on the Contest Announcement post of June 28
Please include a way for me to contact you in case you're the winner
No entry fee
Judge's decision is final


Winner will be announced by July 20, 2010
 
Good luck!

Contest Announcement

Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway responded to a challenge to create a story in less than 10 words this way:

"For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn."

For only six little words, that's a pretty powerful story.

I penned a rather melancholy six word story now published in "Six Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak by Writers Famous & Obscure".  The volume is filled with little gems, all perfect for a quick read.

Now it's your turn. I've read your work and know how many awesome writers there are in the blogmosphere. So Critter Alley is sponsoring a six word story contest. Be sure and read the rules!

Contest entries will be accepted from June 28-July 12, 2010

• One entry per person, so send your best work
• Entry must contain 6 words; no more, no less
• Story topic of your choice, but no porn or gore--we're a family friendly site!
• Enter on any of the above dates, but enter as a comment on this Contest Announcement post 
• Please include a way for me to contact you in case you're the winner!
• No entry fee
• Judge's decision is final
• Winner will be announced by July 20, 2010

The winning entry will be original, creative, and tell us a story in only six words. We'll publish it on Critter Alley along with a link to the winning author's website, if applicable.

The prize for our winner is (drumroll, please): $25 cold hard cash! That's over $4 a word! Does another publication pay so well? I think not.

So roll up your sleeves and get typing! We can't wait to read your six word story!

The Winner Is...

"Wow, when's the last time mom dusted up here?"



The winning entry was submitted by our friend from Alaska, Ryker (or his mom). Why did we choose it?

Well, after we got up off the floor from laughing so hard, we started to get a little nervous. How in the world did Ryker (or his mom) see what an untidy household we have? In fear of more tale-telling than we could handle, we simply had to award Ryker the prize. If Ryker (or his mom) would send me an address, the Walter Bargen book of poetry will be on its way.

But that's not all. The Medal of Awesomeness above is suitable for copying to post on Ryker's website just to let the whole world know how amazingly clever he (or his mom) really is.

Congratulations to Ryker!

Creative Caption Contest

Bogey enjoys leaping to the mantle...usually not a happy thing, despite his well-studied angelic look. I saw this photo of him and felt it simply begged for a caption.

So, talented readers, give me your best caption for Bogey's picture. Indy, Bogey, and I will select the winning entry using absolutely no criteria at all. Because that's the kind of judges we are.

Simply place your caption in the comment section of this post. The winner will be announced next week. The winning caption will be posted and credit given to the winning writer accompanied by celebratory kudos, compliments, and congratulations for excellence in caption creativity.

Not only that, but the winner will receive a copy of "West of West" a poetry collection autographed by Missouri's first Poet Laureate, Walter Bargen. (If selected as winner, the judges will need a mailing address to make good on the goods.)

We're looking forward to being dazzled by the diamond-like brilliance of our readers!

Oh What a Beautiful Day!

I went back to work after the long holiday weekend full of the blahs and wishing I could stay home just one more day. But instead I bravely marched through the front door along with my fellow reluctant warriors. Later in the morning I took a minute to check my blog and found a comment congratulating me on a contest win.

WHAT????

Immediately, I zipped over to the Saturday Writers website, and sure enough, I won second place out of 87 entries in a short story contest. Joy! Bliss! Nirvana!

This evening I planned to post the good news, but first took a look at a long list of emails. Uh-oh! A tantalizing Chicken Soup email nestled in the middle. I clicked on it first thing and read the opening sentences every writer wants to see:

"Your story "My Daddy's Name" has made it to the final selection round for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad. Only five percent of the submitted stories have made it this far. The vast majority of stories in this "last round" will appear in the book, but we do not make the final decisions until about a month before the publication date."

WHAT A DAY!!! Pardon me for yelling, but I couldn't help myself! Now I'll keep fingers crossed that I make the final cut into the book, even while I bask in the warm afterglow of the contest win.

No more after holiday blahs for me...I'm smiling from ear to ear!

Another Canine Contest

Image credit to multcolib.org

The Angel Animal Network is accepting story submissions about dogs and the women who love them. Submissions must be original true stories demonstrating the benefits for a woman who fulfills a life purpose by partnering with a dog to perform extraordinary physical, emotional, or spiritual service.

No fees to enter. First place winner receives $250, second prize of $25 will be awarded to 5 contestants, and 5 entries will be chosen as Honorable Mentions. All stories submitted will be considered for publication in a new book, Dogs and the Women Who Love Them.

Entires must be postmarked by September 30, 2009.

Read a full description of the contest rules before entering.

Got a Good Dog Story?

The Bark, a magazine devoted to all things canine, has launched its first short fiction contest. They're looking for a "canine-centric story told from a human point of view".

The winning story will show literary merit and technical proficiency. It cannot exceed 3,000 words, and the contest deadline is December 31, 2009. The winner will receive $500 and publication in The Bark magazine. Be sure to take a look at the complete rules before submitting.

The Bark has a number of other contests that may be of interest, or just plain fun to browse. Check their "Contest" tab for more information.

If you decide to enter any contests on The Bark, good luck!