The search for the winner of this year's Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Short Story Title continues with heat five.
There are nine heats in all. The winners (or joint winners) from heats one - eight go straight through. The second place finishers battle it out in heat nine to see which title joins the others in the final round.
What's at stake?
Bragging rights for the winner? An interview and/or guest post here on An Englishman in New Jersey, as well as signed copy of my book, Fur-Face, and a couple of I are a writer! pens, as shown in the pic below.
Poll #1840669 2012 MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARD FOR BEST SHORT STORY TITLE: HEAT 5 OF 9
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 17
From the following list, please select any short story titles which you think should progress to the final round
| LETTING EACH TOMORROW SLAP US IN THE FACE |
   6 (13.3%) |
| THE JANE AUSTIN DEATH MATCH |
| 4 (8.9%) |
| LITTLE PITCHERS, BIG EARS, AND GOOD NOSES |
| 3 (6.7%) |
| LUBARBRI |
| 2 (4.4%) |
| MIAMI SNOW |
| 1 (2.2%) |
| THE MISADVENTURES OF ABIGAIL ADDY |
| 3 (6.7%) |
| THE NECROMOUSER |
| 10 (22.2%) |
| ON ARID SEAS |
| 4 (8.9%) |
| ONE IS ONE |
| 4 (8.9%) |
| THE PROPHET OF SEVENTH AVENUE |
| 8 (17.8%) |
Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six
Heat seven
Heat eight
Heat nine
Final Round
Voting in Heats 1 through 8 will close on Sunday, June 3rd 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat nine will take place soon after.
Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!
- Mood:
excited
The search for the winner of this year's Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Short Story Title continues with heat four.
There are nine heats in all. The winners (or joint winners) from heats one - eight go straight through. The second place finishers battle it out in heat nine to see which title joins the others in the final round.
What's at stake?
Bragging rights for the winner? An interview and/or guest post here on An Englishman in New Jersey, as well as signed copy of my book, Fur-Face, and a couple of I are a writer! pens, as shown in the pic below.
Poll #1839855 2012 MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARD FOR BEST SHORT STORY TITLE: HEAT 4 OF 9
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 29
From the following list, please select any short story titles which you think should progress to the final round
| THE FIRES OF NOVEMBER |
| 11 (16.4%) |
| THE GLORYUS ADVENTURES OF KING BRYANT, SEKRIT GENIUS! |
| 4 (6.0%) |
| GREEN-QUEEN WINS THE INTERNET |
| 5 (7.5%) |
| GREY SILK, TIMES NINE |
| 6 (9.0%) |
| HOT CHOCOLATE FOR THE UNICORN |
| 11 (16.4%) |
| HOW A WAREHOUSEMAN AND A RECEPTIONIST SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO SEND THEIR DAUGHTER TO COLLEGE WITHOUT LOANS, SCHOLARSHIPS OR GRANTS |
| 3 (4.5%) |
| INTELLECTUALS IN BUBBATOWN |
| 6 (9.0%) |
| JOURNEY'S END |
| 4 (6.0%) |
| THE LAWNMOWER THAT ATE MANHATTAN |
| 11 (16.4%) |
| LIFE AROUND THE BEND |
| 6 (9.0%) |
Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six
Heat seven
Heat eight
Heat nine
Final Round
Voting in Heats 1 through 8 will close on Sunday, June 3rd 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat nine will take place soon after.
Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!
- Mood: excited
There are nine heats in all. The winners (or joint winners) from heats one - eight go straight through. The second place finishers battle it out in heat nine to see which title joins the others in the final round.
What's at stake?
Bragging rights for the winner? An interview and/or guest post here on An Englishman in New Jersey, as well as signed copy of my book, Fur-Face, and a couple of I are a writer! pens, as shown in the pic below.
Poll #1839204 2012 MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARD FOR BEST SHORT STORY TITLE: HEAT 3 OF 9
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 21
From the following list, please select any short story titles which you think should progress to the final round
| CASTING CALL |
| 3 (6.7%) |
| CONSUMPTION |
| 6 (13.3%) |
| DAWN OF THE UNDEAD |
| 2 (4.4%) |
| DEADUCTIVE REASONING |
| 5 (11.1%) |
| DEATH'S COLD KISS |
| 2 (4.4%) |
| DEATH'S DIVIDEND |
| 2 (4.4%) |
| DEEP MISTAKES |
| 5 (11.1%) |
| THE DEMON DROWNS IN THE RIVER |
| 6 (13.3%) |
| DON'T GO FUSSIN' OVER ME |
| 8 (17.8%) |
| THE GERMANY I LEFT BEHIND |
| 6 (13.3%) |
Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six
Heat seven
Heat eight
Heat nine
Final Round
Voting in Heats 1 through 8 will close on Sunday, June 3rd 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat nine will take place soon after.
Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!
- Mood: excited
There are nine heats in all. The winners (or joint winners) from heats one - eight go straight through. The second place finishers battle it out in heat nine to see which title joins the others in the final round.
What's at stake?
Bragging rights for the winner? An interview and/or guest post here on An Englishman in New Jersey, as well as signed copy of my book, Fur-Face, and a couple of I are a writer! pens, as shown in the pic below.
Poll #1838418 2012 MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARD FOR BEST SHORT STORY TITLE: HEAT 2 OF 9
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 29
From the following list, please select any short story titles which you think should progress to the final round
| ANGELS IN THE DARKNESS |
| 6 (8.2%) |
| AT THE TRUCK STOP ON THE WAY TO DEATH VALLEY |
| 8 (11.0%) |
| THE BEAR WITH THE CLOCKWORK HEART |
| 20 (27.4%) |
| THE BEARD PLUCKER'S LAMENT |
| 7 (9.6%) |
| THE BEST AND LAST HISS |
| 7 (9.6%) |
| BEST OF ENEMIES |
| 3 (4.1%) |
| BLOOD RARE |
| 4 (5.5%) |
| CAT R. WALL'S TAIL |
| 5 (6.8%) |
| CHARON'S CROSS |
| 6 (8.2%) |
| CHOICES IN THE DARK |
| 5 (6.8%) |
| DARKNESS RISING |
| 2 (2.7%) |
Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six
Heat seven
Heat eight
Heat nine
Final Round
Voting in Heats 1 through 8 will close on Sunday, June 3rd 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat nine will take place soon after.
Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!
- Mood: excited
There are nine heats in all. The winners (or joint winners) from heats one - eight go straight through. The second place finishers battle it out in heat nine to see which title joins the others in the final round.
What's at stake?
Bragging rights for the winner? An interview and/or guest post here on An Englishman in New Jersey, as well as signed copy of my book, Fur-Face, and a couple of I are a writer! pens, as shown in the pic below.
Poll #1837758 2012 MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARD FOR BEST SHORT STORY TITLE: HEAT 1 OF 9
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 31
From the following list, please select any short story titles which you think should progress to the final round
| A BREATH OF WHEAT |
| 6 (7.5%) |
| A DIFFERENT SORT OF DEAD |
| 14 (17.5%) |
| ABOUT A BIRD |
| 4 (5.0%) |
| ALL THE CLASSROOM'S A STAGE: THIRD GRADE THESPIANS |
| 1 (1.2%) |
| AMERICA'S MOST PRECIOUS CARGO: SCOUTS AND SOLDIERS |
| 2 (2.5%) |
| AFTER ROSY BOOTS TOOK UP VOODOO MAGIC |
| 11 (13.8%) |
| A PRICE TO PLAY |
| 5 (6.2%) |
| ALL CATS ARE COMMUNISTS |
| 20 (25.0%) |
| APRIL, 1945 |
| 4 (5.0%) |
| BAT GUANO |
| 4 (5.0%) |
| BEGINNING OF FOREVER |
| 9 (11.2%) |
Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six
Heat seven
Heat eight
Heat nine
Final Round
Voting in Heats 1 through 8 will close on Sunday, June 3rd 2012 at 6:00pm (US/Eastern). Heat nine will take place soon after.
Good luck to all who take part! Vene, vidi, puddli!
- Mood: excited
There's still time to enter up to three short story titles in The 2012 Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Short Story Title, but don't leave it too long. The entry doors close on Sunday, April 29th at noon (US/Eastern).
Does your story title have what it takes?
- Mood: excited
The 2012 Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best Short Story Title
Everyone knows a great title is an excellent way to pull someone into a story, but now it can bring you fame and fortune too!
Okay, maybe not fame, and to be honest, not fortune either, but it can win you a Meager Puddle of Limelight Award and a free copy of my book, Fur-Face, as well as a couple of I are a writer! pens, as shown in the pic below.
How can I enter?
If you'd like to take part, you can submit up to three short story titles. They can be from finished stories or WIPs of any length, but please note: they must be your own work. Put your entries in a comment below or send them to me within a separate message (or email: jon@acatofninetales.com) under the heading: 2012 PUDDLE FOR BEST SHORT STORY TITLE. I'll screen all comments when the contest submission period closes. Be sure to check your spelling because your entry will be cut & pasted into the poll.
What do I win?
Aside from a signed copy of Fur-Face and the I are a writer! pens, winners get to bask in the meager puddle of limelight which my journal can provide. I'll post an interview with the top three finalists here on An Englishman in New Jersey. In addition, the overall winner gets the opportunity to do a guest blog here if he/she wishes.
I don’t have a Live Journal account. Can I enter?
Sure, but you’ll need an LJ account to vote for anything. And don't forget to give your name and website/email address if you enter by anonymous comment so I can contact you if needed.
Do you plan to enter your own stuff, Jon?
No. I've excluded myself from the competition.
How will the winner be selected?
As with last year's contest, entries will be voted on by your LJ peers in secret ballots. I'll explain the process in more detail later.
What’s the closing date for entries?
To be considered for the 2012 Meager Puddle of Limelight Awards for Best Short Story Title, please submit your entries by noon (US/Eastern time), on Sunday, April 29th, 2012.
ETA: Entry doors are closed, comments have been screened until after the winner is announced. Good luck to everyone taking part :)
Links to the other Heats and the final:
Heat one
Heat two
Heat three
Heat four
Heat five
Heat six
Heat seven
Heat eight
Heat nine
Final Round
Sure, the Puddles may not be as prestigious as a Hugo or the like, but any award voted for by your peers is one worth having. Besides, just like those shiny diamonds people like to sing about, bragging rights are forever.
Good luck to all who take part, or as previous entrants like to say:
Vene, vidi, puddli!
- Mood: excited
for Best Story Title
Does your story title have what it takes?
- Mood: excited
Coming soon:
for Best Story Title
Does your story title have what it takes?
- Mood: excited
Adrian Sterling (aka
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=91.6){kind=small}
raisinbottom) came in a close third in the recent 2011 final of the Meager Puddle of Limelight Award for Best opening Line. Adrian kindly spared a few minutes to answer some questions about his writing and his contest entry,"Think of me as a time of year" whispered the raccoon, "like libraries in a late autumn afternoon."What’s the name of the story the opening line is from?
It's not a story yet, just something out of my commonplace book. People still keep commonplace books, right? The pieces are probably going to be put together in a magical realism tale taking place in the modern day drawing from my experiences in the late nineties. The line keeps haunting me so I decided to submit it.
How many times did you change the opening line before you settled on "Think of me as a time of year" whispered the raccoon, "like libraries in a late autumn afternoon."?
I banged it out the way it is. 90% of the time I write and let the chips fall where they may in hopes of catching whatever zeitgeist motivates me. Rereading, proofing and the rest are still a bit painful for my ego.
What’s your preferred genre/wordcount?
I like short stories. I write stuff that deals with the paranormal and other oddities, or a roman à clef.
What’s your current WIP?
A farce about the death penalty based on the line "Killing him isn't going to bring her back." People start killing each other off out of revenge. Sometimes I think about it being a weird detective novel but the comedy appeals to me.
Are you a pantser or an outliner?
Pantser if that means I write by the seat of my pants. I hope to be an outliner and be more organized in the future.
What are your long term goals as a writer?
Get published, a little bit of acclaim and use the cash to take my wife out to dinner.
As a reader, does a good opening line make a difference to you?
First seventy pages mean a lot to me. If a book doesn't catch me then I'll put it aside and blame myself for not getting the author's gist.
What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever heard?
Write every day.
What’s the worst?
I haven't heard any bad advice about writing. The worst thing a writer can do to themselves is think that one idea is the best and only idea they'll ever have. If plagiarists steal, they're gonna steal. Use that idea to keep on creating new stuff or write it better than the thief.
What was the last story/novel you pitched/submitted?
Oh wow, I'm just a hobbyist right now keeping my stuff tucked away in a drawer like Emily Dickinson.
What was the last story/novel you read?
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Everyone's been talking about how I should read it but it didn't resonate with me. At least it didn't come across as being really dated with its techporn.
Do you belong to a writing/critique group? Why?/Why not?
Nope, I'm shy and broke.
Where can readers find your work?
Used to be at my former largely unread vanity website but I took that down in a fit of pique after twelve years. My gags were on Twitter but that was getting in the way of my job search. I'm volunteering my writing at a paranormal blog called The Anomalist.
Where on the web can you be found?
My livejournal,
raisinbottom Also Facebook but that's locked up tight.What do you know now, that you wish you'd known when you first started writing?
Be more persistent and be more confident.
Who do you think would win in a fight, astronauts or cavemen?
My money's on the caveman. Astronauts rely on technology and batteries run out while cavemen have preternatural tenacity.
Adrian Sterling currently lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife and four cats. When he's not typing and calling it writing he's toiling at a soul-crushing day job that takes up most of his creative brain activity. Adrian is an inveterate dodecaphile and puts way too much emphasis on Strunk and White. His favorite writers are H.P. Lovecraft, Alastair Reynolds, Robert Heinlein, Michael Flynn and Philip K. Dick.
- Mood:
content
