Contests, Entries, Featured, Finalists
Finalists: The 6:09 has arrived (and 20 minutes ahead of schedule!)
Nov
Literati!
Here is how we picked our finalists: Tiffany and I each picked our favorites, and if we both had the same favorites, they were in. (We agreed upon two.) Then we each picked a favorite, independent of the other. That got us to four. The final three were chosen at random. We have had this debate before on this site: why is everything not strictly merit based? That’s because our tastes are subjective. I reviewed comments posted and read arguments that were sent to me regarding other entries, and there was such a variety of opinions, that I picked the final three randomly–and of course, you will never know which made it on “merit” and which were random selections. But I will remind you of this fact: in more than one previous contest, a randomly selected contestant went on to win the contest.
So…here are the contestants, identified by their story and pseudonym. They will remain anonymous until the contest ends.:
Had I been validated to write on this prompt, readers would taken it with their bit.
I will bite my tongue only partially on what I am thinking about the choices made. Only one of the selected finalists was in my top 7, one my 12th pick due to being off subject too much, two were barely top 20 due to geographical-historical mistakes and the others were all in my bottom 12 out of 32 entries.
I don’t believe it is fair for me to review the finalists given AWWYP’s choices. As a lover of poetry and poet, I suggest AWWYP contacts the authors of “The Road Home” (not mine) my #1 pick & “Insomnia in Tucson” (not mine) my #2 pick, because they were both genius, but clearly extremely misunderstood.
I want AWWYP to succeed, but am very shocked and disappointed tonight by the choices made.
Let me add about my opinion above, less I be judged harshly, that I read each entry at least two times, sometimes over 10 times, did research into some of them and sought second opinions when possible before reviewing them. How many outside the staff can claim they did as much or took as much time in discernment? My greatest discovery of this contest was the poetry of Rosario Castellanos which I purchased and recommend be read in its original Spanish. I wish all the finalists good writing.
Good, and the very best of luck to all the finalists.
I just sent you a message on Linkedin which I hope you will read and respond to. Thank you.
When’s the next contest?
Well done all and congratulations. Every entry was special in its own way and creative.
High praise for all the finalists! Good luck on being selected the winner.
Your unique way of selecting a winner is genius. Even if it were possible to determine “the best”, it wouldn’t be as kind and encouraging for the best to always win. Congratulations to all who participated.
Good wishes to all the finalists – well done!
The contest has, once more, produced some excellent work …..
Thanks Grant
so glad you decided to board the train a while back.