I'm fully aware how subjective competitions are and it's flattering to think that this particular story had the luck to meet Bent Tree's tastes. I'm sure the other stories in the competition may actually have a better chance than mine of meeting a different editor's taste when it comes time to launch them into the wider world.

Running the competition was an incredibly generous act and I can only hope Bent Tree's generosity will be repaid by well-deserved literary success.

Finally, I'd love to see some of these stories in the "Ready for Market Challenge" for November. We only have two entrants this month and I'd like to read some of the other stories based on Bent Tree's comments.

IB, if you need another pair of eyes, feel free to send it to me.

Regards,

Nick

Sorry Bent Tree, my story did turn out a little bit creepy. That wasn't the origional intention.

...this failed to capture my interest...

...but I am stubborn enough to try anyway. Okay, you convinced me.

quote:

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Thank you for the offer of placing mine in the Ready for Market thread but a) it is not ready for market and b) it is 13500 words long.

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How about I change the challenge to: "Ready to be critted the second time challenge"?

It's been difficult to get anyone apart from Merlion-Emrys to enter the challenge every month. I can't remember how it came to be my challenge in the first place, but I'm doing a terrible job of making it a success.