No doubt you’ve wondered what’s happening over here regarding the contest.

Well, emails with critiques have been going out, that’s what.

And THEN???

Calm down. Then our celebrity judges get my selection for finalists.

…and then a winner is decided…

and then I announce the winner, here on the blog, on… whatever day I said I would.

* Checks original contest announcement *

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON OR AROUND DECEMBER 20, 2017

unless I get an overwhelming amount of entries, and then I’ll delay that part but trust me you’ll know way in advance because I’ll be whining about it here on the blog.

(That was all in the rules, honest.)

We have some REALLY good stories this time, gang. Possibly our best crop yet.

I know, I say that every time, but it’s true every time. You guys are really raising the bar.

Oh, and one more thing.

Many of the stories will be considered for an upcoming anthology even if they don’t win. Remember that. Some stuff just doesn’t lend itself to a 3000 word contest but makes for a great book or a terrific piece in an anthology – where it can have a little more wiggle room.

Stay tuned. The 20th will be here before you know it – and there might be a few other surprises in between now and then, too.