Writing Contest Final Round!

[Craig Wallwork]

Yes, I feel very proud Steven. Very proud.

For the Winners: So happy for CW, MLD and Nikita. Well done guys. It was a hell of a ride. I know that's the standard response, but really, I was proud to be standing beside you guys. To those who voted (all of 5 of you) - I am collapsed with gratitude. To know you thought the story was good and enjoyed it made this process more bearable.

To the Runners Up: today, my phone could have rang with news that my daughter had been injured, or that my wife was in a car accident, or that my parents had taken ill, or worse. Today, a mirage of awful and life altering moments could have happened. But they didn't. My family are well and happy. All that happened was I lost out to some great writers. That's not a big deal. that's an honour. I'm not trying to play down the opportunity of being in CD, which is beyond my comprehension at this stage, more that this was one small wound that will heal very quickly. To you all, you were worthy competitors. You are great/amazing writers. And the most wonderful part of it all is, other than the great stories, is that it brought together people who didn't know each other. The support has been humbling, more so by those competing against each other for the top three positions.

It's been a privilege. 13 will live again, somewhere. And I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before all the other stories find homes worthy of their brilliance.

[Steven Cox]

I would just like to congratulate the Top Three - very, very well done, you guys. I feel privileged to have done friendly battle with you and wish everyone all the best for the future. As Draven said way back, we are all winners in a way - but Nikita, MLD and C.W. must be feeling on top of the world. Hurrah!

And to those five who gave "Scraps" their vote, I love you all (whoever you may be) ! ...To my fellow Englander Craig, we came =6th. Hope you're feeling more that just a touch of British pride, for I know I am.

See ya all out on the road sometime...

[Ben Staad]

Congratulations to the winners of the contest! I also want to say thanks to everyone that entered the contest as it was a great month of reading.

[Antmusic]

CONGRATS to the winners, and everyone who made the final round!

Thank you EVERYONE who participated and made this a reader's extravaganza!

[C.W. LaSart]

Conrats to Nikita, MLD, and CW! You all should be very proud.

Thank you very much-can I breathe now?

[jmcraven]

Conrats to Nikita, MLD, and CW! You all should be very proud.

[Antmusic]

I just voted... nothing like waiting until the last minute (give or take). ha ha.

[fmancino]

Only 69 people voted, I thought there'd be a lot more active members... oh well. Good Luck to all of the winners

[Dan Hocker]

Just checking in here. Its not over yet, but good luck here on the last 2 hours. I will be in touch with the winners when I get back.

[ozmosis7]

Heading out for the day, but wanted to wish everyone luck for the last few hours this contest runs. Great stories, and gratz to the winners ahead of time as I will be out for most of the day. You all were well deserving, and with all of you getting some votes, it shows that point. And thanks to CD for providing us all of this fun. Good luck.

[mlouisdixon]

Yes, DR is closing. I only took it over as a favor to keep it from going under. Actually, I was promised that my responsibilities would be limited, but I ended up doing just about everything myself. I handed over the mag to the original editor who wanted to come back and then nothing happened for months. I volunteered to come back to do the final issue and put DR to rest with some dignity.

I’ll accept any help I can get so if somebody reading this is interested, please PM me and we’ll talk.

Thanks,

MLD

[RichardThomas]

Oh MLD, I wish I had the time. I like the work that DR is doing for sure, but I have too much on my plate as it is right now. Thanks for asking. I'm sure there are a ton of people here that could be first or second readers for you though. I've edited for several magazines in the past, and it is a full-time job. I might be up for a guest editor gig at some point in the future. PM me if you want to talk. Wait, did you say FINAL issue? Is DR closing?

[mlouisdixon]

... could you ever imagine the insanity that is going on behind the scenes? A lot of great stories here, and not just in the finals, but overall.

Would you like to be part of that? I've got hundreds of stories in a slushpile and dozens in a "maybe" pile that need to be gone through for the final issue of Dark Recesses. I'd love to get some help if I could. It is insanity.

MLD

[RichardThomas]

Thanks, Nik. That means a lot coming from you. I just mailed "Rudy" off to the Borderlands 6 anthology that MLD suggested, so I haven't given up on that story yet. It's almost like getting a peek behind the curtain at a magazine or journal. You know the acceptance rate is 5%, and you know they get 110 submissions a month, but when you get the form rejection, could you ever imagine the insanity that is going on behind the scenes? A lot of great stories here, and not just in the finals, but overall.

[Sioned Mair]

Good luck on the last day, you guys!