Literati! We now have seven finalists, and they now have 72 hours!
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.:
Password by Metró L. Ink
A Train by N Jin
Sanguine’s Ride by Richard Trevithick
I am a Horrible Man by Doubleback McGillicuddy
Heaven by Mick Coolie
Strawberries by Tren de la Fresa
Of Trains and Fireworks by D. Reichsbahn
And now that you know who you are, here is your prompt: In 500 words or fewer, tell us why the conductor threw your valise on the platform, grit his teeth, called security, and told you never to board his train again. Somewhere in your narrative, you must use the words “I didn’t think anyone would mind.” Entries must be received by Monday, November 16th by 6:09 pm Moscow time.
I will post your stories under the same pseudonym, invite everyone to comment, and when all stories are posted, I will reveal voting rules to all eligible voters. PLEASE do not caste your votes until I give the word.
Thornton Sully has Jack-Londoned his way across the globe sleeping with whatever country would have him, and picking up stray stories along the way. A litter of dog-eared passports that have taken up residence in his sock drawer are a constant temptation, but, as the founder in 2009 of A Word with You Press, dedicated to helping you tell your story persuasively and with passion, it’s not likely he will stray too far from the towers that are A Word with You Press, now located in the Bohemian village of Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Republic, except, perhaps, for an occasional swim in the Aegean. Authors who have sought his advice have won major awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Isabel Allende Miraposa Award for new fiction, and the Best Poetry Award from San Diego Writers’ Awards.
“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” Thornton Sully, plagiarizing E.B. White
Had I been validated to write on this prompt, readers would taken it with their bit.
Parisianne Modert says:
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.
Parisianne Modert says:
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.
Michael Stang says:
Good, and the very best of luck to all the finalists.
Parisianne Modert says:
I just sent you a message on Linkedin which I hope you will read and respond to. Thank you.
High praise for all the finalists! Good luck on being selected the winner.
Carol McLaine says:
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.
Grant Laurence says:
Good wishes to all the finalists – well done!
The contest has, once more, produced some excellent work …..
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.