by Jason V, Court TV
Member since:
September 18, 2007

Vote Now in the Court TV Search for the Next Great Crime Writer Contest

November 15, 2007 12:00 PM EST (Updated: November 27, 2007 10:28 AM EST)
views: 6788 | rating: 9.8/10 (43 votes) | comments: 212


The Round One reading and voting period for the Court TV Search for the Next Great Crime Writer Contest has officially begun! Below, please find all the eligible entries listed in alphabetical order by book title.

From now through December 9, 2007, you may read and vote for as many entries as you like. The fifteen chapters with the most "10" votes will proceed to Round Two, along with the ten chapters selected by the Gather Editorial Team.

Questions on how to vote? Check out our Voting Guidelines. And don't forget - each and every time you vote you'll be entered into a sweepstakes to win Borders Gift Cards!

Official Court TV Search for the Next Great Crime Writer Contest Entries:

A Cappella Blues
 bobiam

Mark of Cain
 bc8990

Ad Angelus
 jumar

May Day Murders, The
 wittfoto

Adam Greene
 jupiterandmars

Me and the Devil
 quinneli

Agent and The Terrorist, The
 mio40

Medicine People, The
 willhodam

All Wrapped Up
 mcchandler

Memory Stick
 pfschmit

Allegations
 ptfiske

Meth House
 sabatty

Angel Or The Beast, The
 raymardo

Million to One, A
 kenhelmes

Angels, The
 garymckeehan

Mindset
 billwohlford

Animus
 philkeith

Minefield
 katek

Apollyon, The
 jkicklilter

Miranda Warning
 Towner

Arkansas County Moonshine Wars, The
 iamleon

Mistaken Insanity
 saladlady

Aunt Two Lips Takes a Powder
 rhalltulip

More Deaths Than One
 ptbertram

Awfully Lonely Place, An
 lhhoagland

Mother's Day Dead
 venezianna

Babylon Bayou
 robcon

Mourning and Remembering
 lpgoodman

Backlot Requiem: A Rick Walker Mystery
 genordell

Murder For Glory
 forbman

Bad Moon Rising
 ellemarie

Murder in Iraq
 van123

Bad Souls
 kkiimm

Murder in Mykonos
 mykonos

Beast of Angeles, The
 kwcman

Murder in the Garden Club, A
 hardington

Belly of the Beast
 arevels

Murder in the Mess Hall
 patbee

Beneath Still Waters
 vangogh448

Murder in Winnebago County
 chrissyann

Big Wow, The
 crimepays

Must Be Thursday
 whyllo

Black Promise
 schliess

Naked Raving Empty, The
 rhortx

Bleeding Rose
 bloodyrose

Narcguys
 georgiacopguy

Blood Vengeance: (Cold Case #4-183) Not of this World
 writerstan

Near-Death Reckoning
 shaynexus

Blue Skye
 astra713

Nearness of You, The
 claireapple1

Blues and the Basketball Man, The
 dpedrazine

Nemesis
 mesims

Boogeyman Hunters, The
 boogeymanhunters

Neutral Zone
 alequim

Bound and Determined
 hubblemama

Nice Work (If You Can Get It)
 shalanna

Breaking and Entering
 hackneypony

Night of the Furies
 jmradosta

Bridgeman, The
 catvin

Nopause Files, The
 jfree

Bullets and Bratwurst
 rogmurtaugh

Norris Files, The
 marshuff

Burn and Grind
 rramsey

Not Such a Sweet Thing
 autumnharrison

Carpet Ride
 novelnorm

Nova Summer
 joyalan

Case of the Curious Cousin, The
 sunwanderer

Of The People
 write-guy

Char
 dalecoz

One True Path
 scriptor

Child Predators
 truehauntings

Oracle, The
 enricolit

Circle of Fear, A
 everlasting721

Orphan Market, The
 stevealloy

Civic-Minded Murders, The
 johnrmoses

Over Purple Mountains
 milesshepard

Closed Proceedings
 brittneeburke

Paladin
 kdl800

Cold Call
 lhassler

Panic Manager, The
 dawndmc

Color of Darkness
 dodobird46

Passion Sunday
 marfak

Comeuppance
 mortinc

Past Revisited
 smscott

Complete Man, A
 ajbassler

Paths Along the Way
 kinvara

Connection
 writerkim

Patrenka
 wsinicki

Consequences of Truth
 edf4

Payback
 jgolden

Cosmic Joke, A
 wolfski

Payback's A Bitch
 gioson

Coyotes Remember
 pdme

Pilgrim Fool: A Sarah Farling Mystery
 jennykilb

Crystal Muse, The
 blackjac5000

Pitfalls of Rue, The
 tryan

Cure for the Living, A
 sheilabarnes

Potential
 slim11

Damon Runyon's Boys
 mscain

Prediction of Death
 paul383

Dance of Shadows,A
 silverjames

Price of Justice, The
 cookiemaccord

Dead Lawyers
 macslaw

Private Showings
 crimewriter

Deadline: Tucson
 delpozos

Prohibition
 tmccauley

Deadly Clues
 mosfet4

Promiscuous Mode
 judyinboston

Deadly Purpose
 trueblock

Promise to Keep, A
 chastwn

Death at the University
 fdmcnama

Prophet Motive, The
 chastwn

Death in The Ring
 susansh

Proposal for Murder
 lmassa

Death Penalty Initiative
 rmeade

Prudent Man
 tophpham

Deeds Unpunished
 brinkleyboy

Pyramid on the Hudson
 horore

Degrees of Servitude
 charleeheart

Ragged Justice
 wordfreak

Devil's Flat
 falling

Random Access
 bluesharp

Disappeared, The
 katecsi3

Random Acts of Abandon
 solitaire839

Disappearing Clues
 billbehr

Ransom of Red Goat, The
 samparadis

Doctors of Dark Deception
 lapkt

Reading the Bones
 jrbnmd

Don't Look Back
 cyntheah

Ready Freddy
 writerguy33

Double Dose of Murder, A
 maryaldrin

Reflections of Betrayal
 acretella

Dry Heat
 dryheat

Reislinger's Affair, The
 yarmouthport

Envy
 angeliascott

Reporter, The
 jlwhite245

Even
 mrkoconnell

Retribution
 margiefreaney

Faithful Execution
 suberu

Revenge
 crea

False Positive
 dorlinton

Rhythm Of The Streets, The
 dino1724

Family Secrets
 bostonmargy

Rigged
 karid

Final Alarm
 jlloyd

Riley's Box
 monicacharlene

First Call
 reportergirl

Roll of the Dice, A Flip of the Card, A
 acainaich

Flight 412
 clingeg

Sahara Downpour
 jrblack

Flowers That Grow Between, The
 cwotell

Salt/Sage Murders, The
 trumpetgirl

Foodchain
 jeffjacobson

Scars We Carry, The
 bquertermous

Forgotten King, The
 rledinger

Scent of Darkness, The
 sirfojo

Forty-Two Blue
 rschipul

Scent of Humanity, The
 margay1122

Friend Behind the Mask, The
 oulisa

Secret Desire - A Broken Soul
 kwilson1042

From Inside the Mirror
 nsoutter

Secrets of a Suburban Stripper
 hellyermomx4

From the Depths
 cmtregis

Seeds of Adversity
 vision79

Fugue State
 tomfilmz

Seizing Lady Liberty
 brutyre

Gangster of Love
 dennisw3477

Seventh Man, The
 celticadlx

Glass Eye of Hell, The
 mudsen

Sexygal.com
 belden

Gordian Knot, The
 dglow

Shadow Lake
 tnlasher

Grand Murder, A
 svc1225

Shin Hanga Mystery, The
 mjbear

Ground Zero
 alanmilner

Silent Messages
 zenbion

Haints
 joannj

Silk Songbird
 gmooney

Harbor House, The
 leo2all

Skinned
 joannejhc

Hard Bounce, The
 bigdaddythug

Snowman
 golfmaniac

Harmful Truth
 betsy1

Southern Murder, A
 vegaswriter

Harvest Of The Innocents
 morgansummer

Split Screen
 crimeauteur

Hawking's Grove
 kcschiebel

St. Agnes' Eve
 crimeauthor

Head Count
 emessias

Staccato
 djledford

Heeltap
 readwriteshare

Stained By Her Blood ... The Murder of Irene Izak
 shampoo10

Horror Flick
 zeidman

Strange Sisters
 emily

How to Make a Killing on the Internet
 mkorvin

Strike at the Giant
 jimha48

Humpty Dumpty
 hdumpty

Summer Associate, The
 jrosin1

Ice Angel
 bigbyone

Sweet Tooth
 fatstacksjones

Ideal Way to Die, An
 wroy

That Do Poison Need
 lexest 

Identity Crisis
 kennac

There Is No God in Coronado
 jimmytheworm

If They're Dead, So What!
 don111

Think About It
 ptobin

In the Mind of a Serial Killer
 fralanca

Third Hand, The
 cyber-servant

Indian Casino Murders--The Bear Dance, The
 shannonrichards

This Old Man
 englishpam

Informant, The
 daw478

Three Clients, Two Corpses, and a Codicil
 skuphmarx

Inheritance
 gulfportdoc

Told You So
 jsrogers73

Inhuman Deeds
 debbiemelnik

Tommy Marbach's Son
 gerrydodge

Intimate Murder
 ritakuehn

Trophies
 cherylthewriter

Into The Shadows
 mike2439

Tropical Windfall
 rwjokeboy

Introducing Sara Green - removed by author
 avinro4

Twenty-Five Years Ago Today
 krislangley

Jackals
 Jlott24

Twin Spirits
 creola

Jaded Justice
 skishell

Twisted Deceit
 hesa

Jaded Visions
 ladyangel

Two Birds, One Stone
 annwb

Jake
 billwild

Unaware
 krsindianapolis

January Murders, The
 januarymurders

Unspoken Evils
 dynamite08

Janus Man, The
 markhammer

Unusually Cruel Punishment
 mlanglotz

Judge, The
 cmjcarliii

Urban Wolf, The
 amcgray

Keeping Secrets
 cathicopy

Val Brown
 nilsm

Kill Me Sweetly
 thom2007

Vendetta
 nilesnan

Kill The Story
 tellus

Wages of Sin, The
 jjc1775  

Killing of Santiago's Brother, The
 emmaluc

Web of Guilt, A
 haikuleopard

Killing the Tattooed Lawyer
 davidmorgan

Well Trained Moose, The
 rlap

Kudzu
 traildawg

Whip
 erinqou

Larceny
 fictionalist

White Heat
 paulm101

Last Charm Is Death, The
 lovemysteries

White Lies
 playback1

Last Dance in Dancing Deer, The
 ramblingman

Wilderness Justice
 bga

Leonard's Wife
 drywit

Willie the Kid
 jjs111

Leverage
 q610

Wind in the Willows
 rhink

Lost and Forgotten, The
 krslady

Wineglass Tattoo, The
 wineglasstattoo

Love On Hold
 nordheim

With My Own Two Eyes
 joshrawitch

Lucy's Money
 jadeduck

Woes of Mass Transit, The
 doctormindbender

Machine City
 jhowland

Wood, Locks, and Eternity
 nanakins

Madport
 dimenno

You Should Wish You Were A Man
 Ramzybsweis

Marathon
 geniewrites

 

 

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Comments: 212

Kristen C. Nov 15, 2007, 12:19pm EST
Good luck to all the authors - I can't wait to read these!
Diana F. Nov 15, 2007, 12:27pm EST
Good luck everyone!
Shalanna W. Nov 15, 2007, 12:40pm EST
Wow . . . we've got a lot of competition. Start reading!
F. Jeanette c. Nov 15, 2007, 12:55pm EST
This is going to be hard for our critics. I'm sure we'll have a lot of good stories here.

10
Rand Phares Nov 15, 2007, 1:57pm EST
Kristen - there are several article links above that won't resolve due to extra characters after the article ID in the html.

Hopefully the individual authors will notify you.
Just wanted to stop by and wish all of the entrants good luck! I can't wait to get busy reading through all ya'll's hard work!
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Nov 15, 2007, 2:09pm EST
Good luck to all the writers.
Jennifer Oliver Nov 15, 2007, 2:54pm EST
Good luck, everyone!
Gigi K. Nov 15, 2007, 3:17pm EST
Just stopping by to wish good luck to all. Can't wait to start reading!
Carl Rosendorf Nov 15, 2007, 3:20pm EST
These competitions have all been so exciting! Good luck to all our authors.
terri molina Nov 15, 2007, 3:32pm EST
Ack! That's a lot of entries! Hopefully I'll be able to read each one....and contestants, feel free to email me if you want a read (so I don't miss ya). =)

Good Luck everyone!!
Lisa R. Nov 15, 2007, 4:22pm EST
Although I was not able to wrap my novel up in time for the contest, I wanted to wish everyone good luck! I can not wait to read some of these.
M. E. U. Nov 15, 2007, 4:42pm EST
I love competitions, especially when I am not one of the contestants! Good luck to all of you, and I will enjoy reading all of your crime novels.
Debbie B. Nov 15, 2007, 4:51pm EST
Here's to a LOT of good reading! I love seeing how these contests progress. Makes me wish I could write a book!
Sharon S. Nov 15, 2007, 5:33pm EST
I've read a few really good ones so far....exciting
Denise B. Nov 15, 2007, 5:35pm EST
good luck to all the authors, I'll read as many as I can. I figure if I do 2 a day I should be able to get to them all :)
Art McGray Nov 15, 2007, 5:38pm EST
I'ver read a few of my fellow contestants' entries and I'm honored to be among you. Good luck and great job everyone!
Shronda S. Nov 15, 2007, 5:45pm EST
Good Luck to everyone who has entered!
David D. Nov 15, 2007, 6:03pm EST
Good luck to all of the entrants, my fellow contestants. I have read a bunch so far and they have all been great! Good job!!
Kathryn E. Nov 15, 2007, 6:06pm EST
Holy moly, a lot of entries.
Susan E. Nov 15, 2007, 6:44pm EST
I've read 2 so far and I'm enjoying it. I'd like to read them all, but I may have to just do some random choosing based on titles. Good luck with this everybody.
Pat S. Nov 15, 2007, 7:06pm EST
Just stopping by to wish all the entrants the best of luck! Especially my friends golfmaniac (Snowman), joyalan (Nova Summer), dalecoz (Char) and annwb (Two Birds, One Stone). I know that these four have pledged that points earned during this contest will go to buy Home Depot gift cards to be donated to Habitat for Humanity, to help rebuild New Orleans (Ann's home town). Good luck folks!
James R. Nov 15, 2007, 7:48pm EST
Good luck to all the contestants. There are some good articles on Gather about experiences from the last two FC contests. You can see some of them under my name space ( http://jrafferty.gather.com ) and at ( http://dalecoz.gather.com ).
Norvona J. Nov 15, 2007, 7:51pm EST
Reading glasses ready, comfortable chair, drink near by....ready....set....read!!!! :-)
Demetriace M. Nov 15, 2007, 8:26pm EST
Wow Authors! The time is finally here and I am SO excited about this contest. No matter the outcome, we have all entered into a supportive community of readers/writers and the warmth I feel here like I've never felt.

I promise to read each and every selection and humbly invite you to read mine. I am honored to be among you!
Rand Phares Nov 15, 2007, 9:48pm EST
As I did in the Romance contest, I'm posting daily updates on my best guess as to where all the entries are currently ranked, based on their rating and votes. Check in each evening for a new update.

FCC Scores - Round 1

Good luck to all the entrants!
Jay M. Nov 15, 2007, 10:10pm EST
Good luck to everyone.
jessie voigts Nov 15, 2007, 10:48pm EST
good luck! wow - there's a LOT of talent out there!
Starr A. Nov 16, 2007, 12:04am EST
Good luck to all. I hope the entrants will find it a learning experience. For the rest of us, we'll just have fun reading all the great entries!
debra g. Nov 16, 2007, 12:35am EST
Good luck all I hope the best to all.If I dont get to your story email me and I will get it read.
Brenda K. Nov 16, 2007, 1:59am EST
Good luck everyone! Wow, there are lots of great entries. I just gave my first ten to one that I want to read the rest of. Mine is the Salt/Sage Murders - I want to invite everyone to check it out.
Brenda (square peg in a round hole) H. Nov 16, 2007, 2:20am EST
Good luck everyone.
Lori F. Nov 16, 2007, 9:27am EST
Thanks for posting the links. I have read some of the entries but was having a hard time finding them. And from what I have seen it is going to be tough for the judges to decide what a talented group of authors. All the ones I have read have been excellent.
Bill W. Nov 16, 2007, 10:25am EST
Holy writer's cramp Batman! There are over 260 entries. Only luck can determine the winner since there are way too many for any single person to read, let alone judge. I will do my best for my fellow writers and hope that you all (that's ya'll if your from the south) will do the same. Take a shot at MINDSET, please.
Nan G. Nov 16, 2007, 10:32am EST
Wow a lot of submissions. It will take a while to figure this out.
Bonnie W. Nov 16, 2007, 11:05am EST
Enjoying everyone of these stories. I think the best part of the whole contest is that all of us are new writers sharing the things we enjoy writing about with each other and the world. I'm having a blast and Sunwanderer invites everyone to read her story and give feed back.

Bonnie W
Christine H. Nov 16, 2007, 2:01pm EST
There is certainly a lot of good, healthy competition. I, too, am planning to do my best to read them all and invite you to read, Murder in Winnebago County. I wish every entrant the very best!!
Lisa E. Nov 16, 2007, 3:21pm EST
Good luck everyone!!! This is going to be a good competition, and I invite you all to read my entry as well. It's called "Friend Behind the Mask, The ."
terri molina Nov 16, 2007, 6:21pm EST
Before I read any more entries, please read this

Oh..and a *head's up* Don't erase any comments given to you or you will be disqualified.

Good luck everyone!!
Lori F. Nov 16, 2007, 6:38pm EST
Terri nice article. And to the gentleman who said it is impossible to read 260 chapters in the
FC1 contest I read over 800.
Demetriace M. Nov 16, 2007, 8:05pm EST
I am simply blown away at the level of talent on display in this competition. I have read several entries, commented and rated them as well. When I run across an entry that I don't feel comfortable giving a 10 rating, I choose not to rate at all. I do this because I am entered in the competition and don't want to negatively impact an author's rating.

I DO however welcome ANY comments that come by way. Once again good luck to everyone and check out my submission The Rhythm of the Streets
Creola Thomas Nov 17, 2007, 12:06am EST
Good luck everyone, and thanks for the read.
Susan E. Nov 17, 2007, 2:43am EST
I've read probably half a dozen of these so far, and for the most part, I'm enjoying them. I do wonder though, why someone would write a book and post it and then not be open to honest criticism. I am an experienced editor and great lover of books, so I like to think I know what I'm doing when I read and comment. Sometimes I think people only want "that was good--here's a 10" rather than honest opinions.
terri molina Nov 17, 2007, 11:48am EST
HAINTS Here ya go JoAnn. ;-)
terri molina Nov 17, 2007, 11:51am EST
And for anyone needing help making links...go to THIS PAGE
Steve V. Nov 17, 2007, 1:10pm EST
Good luck. I can't choose which one to read
Pam J. Nov 17, 2007, 4:32pm EST
Wow I read some really good pick and the two I liked best were Deadly clues and Envy
They grabbed my attention and I cant wait to read more
ANGELIA SCOTT Nov 17, 2007, 4:40pm EST
Wow I cant believe so many people entered. I have read and rated about seven and boy am i tired. I am also in the contest and i am so nervous paintly waiting and sparatically checking my article to see how many votes and comments I have. Please check out Envy my submission
Brenda K. Nov 17, 2007, 6:43pm EST
Hi Monica, I just checked our Riley's Box and really liked it! Good luck to you. If you get time, check out mine - it is The Salt/Sage Murders.
Brenda K. Nov 17, 2007, 6:47pm EST
My fav so far is the Medicine People - I really hope sometime I get to read the whole thing!
Jonathan F. Nov 17, 2007, 7:39pm EST
The game's afoot! With almost 270 possible leads, it is daunting task to separate the solid clues from the red herrings before the clock runs out--but good detectives are nothing if not relentless! I look forward to matching wits with my competitors and invite all keen eyes to investigate the First Chapter of my "That Do Poison Need" [http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977155261].

Good Luck everyone!
Demetriace M. Nov 17, 2007, 8:39pm EST
As this competition heats up ( even though it's only been a couple of days) I am really enjoying every submission that I've read. My favorites so far are: More Deaths Than One, The Medicine People, The Blues and the Basketball Man.

If you have time, please check out my submission
The Rhythm of the Streets
I am enjoying all the comments, please keep them coming!!
ELLEN B. Nov 17, 2007, 10:47pm EST
Another great one, that is sure to bring out more great new talent, I have read three so far, and it is gonna be tough! Best to all. Salute to Gather for what they do.Ellen B
mrs carlos williams Nov 17, 2007, 11:56pm EST
stop reading from the top. g to the middle of the alphabet.
I just read rileys box, and damn --- its great.
i suggest this material for the world!
FABIOLA J. Nov 18, 2007, 1:27am EST
I FOUND CLOSED PROCEEDINGS TO BE A DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE READ. I READ PAYBACK IS A BITCH AND LIKED IT. BE SURE TO READ THESE. I WILL CONTINUE TO READ. I WISH EVERYONE THE BEST.
Brenda K. Nov 18, 2007, 11:57am EST
The Ransom of Red Goat is really awesome too!

Please check out mine - it is The Salt/Sage Murders. I have gotten some very insightful comments, and I appreciate all the feedback I have gotten, which will make me a better writer.
terri molina Nov 18, 2007, 12:09pm EST
So far, of the ten I've read, imo, only two deserved ten's. I'm planning to read only those who ask me personally and expect an honest, unbiased opinion....and can take it for what it's worth.

If you want me to read your entry, then read this first please.
Kenna C. Nov 18, 2007, 9:42pm EST
Wow, did someone say 260+ entries? That's over 10/day of judging, so I'm already behind! The entries, on the whole, are good so far, obviously some better than others, but given that I've read under 10% of the entries thus far, it's hardly a representative sampling.

If you get a chance, please, please, please read my entry, 'Identity Crisis' and provide some constructive criticism. It's my very first novel, and I can't tell you how anxious I am to hear some unbiased feedback.

Happy reading!!
Deborah C. Nov 19, 2007, 12:33am EST
Great job !! Sounds like a top seller to me.
Debbie C
Bonnie W. Nov 19, 2007, 9:43am EST
Reading all these stories has made me smile. I've been haunting bookstores to get more reading material and now I find I have a ready made library right here in this contest. And, the greatest part of all this reading is it's from new writers like myself. I'm loving this contest and please feel free to stop by and read my story and comment since comments are where we learn what we can do to improve our writing and meet new people.

The HTML stuff is outside my purview, so here is the link to my story "The Case of the Curious Cousin"

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977164448

Hope to see you there and yes, I'm reading and reading and reading and.....

Bonnie W
Jack H. Nov 19, 2007, 9:50am EST
Broken link to my submission -- Machine City -- on this page. Please take the "%20" off the end of the URL.
Ann B. Nov 19, 2007, 11:07am EST
For everyone who's trying to do a hotlink in the messages to send people directly to your chapter, here's how you do it. In the code below, substitute "<" or ">" wherever you see "[" or "]" respectively:

[a href="Your chapter's http address"]Your novel's title[/a]


As an alum of FC1, I can honestly say there are two hidden benefits to this competition, having nothing to do with garnering votes. One is getting honest critiques from people who don't know you and are qualified to give you advice on improving your writing. The other is getting around to read as many of the submissions as you can -- you'll be surprised by what you learn from other writing and from the comments. It's like taking a class!

Be sure to check out Dale's FCC Lounge -- it's a great gathering spot if you haven't already found it. FCC Lounge

He's got a chat going there where we can ask questions or compare notes.

________
Two Birds, One Stone
Linda M. Nov 19, 2007, 3:28pm EST
Here's another twist with a modern flare. Please check out: Circle of Fear, A

A Circle of Fear..

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977149237
Susan H. Nov 19, 2007, 8:36pm EST
I think the link to "There Is No God in Coronado" is broken.
Stephanie W. Nov 20, 2007, 10:09am EST
Good Luck everyone. Thank you Gather for giving all of us aspiring writers a format for comment, inspiration and for the lucky few, publication. Now I need to get reading.
JENNIFER L. Nov 20, 2007, 4:24pm EST
I am new to Gather and this is the first article I have posted. What a great place to meet great writers. Good luck to all of you and congratulations on completing your stories! I welcome any comments, good or bad, on Jackals.
Donna Besso Nov 20, 2007, 5:40pm EST
Good luck to all the Authors entered in the contest!! I want to read them ALL!
June B. Nov 20, 2007, 6:00pm EST
This is very exciting. Good luck to all.
David D. Nov 20, 2007, 6:06pm EST
I've read about 20-30 entries so far and I must admit they were all great. I really want to get to them all and I hope that I do, I feel that is the only fair way. I wish I could read faster, but I find myself reading the chapters and then ALL of the comments, too....lol. I wish everyone luck!
David
Unspoken Evils
Brad S. Nov 20, 2007, 9:46pm EST
Jason,

Just wanted to say thank you for the positive comments you left for me. They are much appreciated. I came into this contest hoping to get some honest feedback on my writing and have received more than I expected. The best part has been getting to know and to read other writers. There are some talented people here and I look forward to reading more of their work as the contest progresses.

Also wanted to say that I think you guys are doing a wonderful thing, giving writers a forum and an opportunity that otherwise might take years to accomplish. For that, my sincere thanks as well.

PS: Sorry about the Diet Coke on the keyboard thing but glad I was able to make you laugh.
terri molina Nov 21, 2007, 9:35am EST
I have to say I've been enjoying what I've read (for the most part). It's a shame some entries are being ignored though....I hope everyone gets a chance to read more over the long holiday weekend. Regardless the one that should be read is STACATTO......now there's a book that deserves to get published!!

Good luck all!
Morgan S. Nov 22, 2007, 9:17am EST
Happy Thanksgiving. Instead of watching football or napping on the sofa this afternoon, I've decided to cuddle up with the PC and read Court TV entries. At least it will keep me away from the pumpkin pie! Best of luck to everyone.

Morgan
Brenda K. Nov 22, 2007, 6:35pm EST
I just read Kill the Story - it doesn't have many ratings yet but I really LOVED it!!!! Check it out if you have time. It looks like many good stories are in the middle of the alphabet and getting ignored. I suggest that everyone go back to H and work through the middle, instead of the end and beginning.
Creola Thomas Nov 22, 2007, 10:40pm EST
Ha, have anyone else noticed that some people will give you good comments, and rate your story low. I don't understand this? Maybe someone should check this out, for we all want this to be a fair contest. Nevertheless, if I like your story, I will rate it hight, and thats thats! A vote for you, does not mean a vote against me. Lets be fair people, and if a story deserves a ten, give it a ten. I have rated many stories really high thus far, and when I come across another good story, I will do it again. Its about letting the best story win, Just my humble concerns.
Deborah J Ledford Nov 23, 2007, 5:15pm EST
Thank you so much for promoting my STACCATO chapter Terri. I truly appreciate this and rely on readers such as you to take a look at my entry and vote me 10 stars.

I invite anyone who cares to take the time to do the same. Here is the hyperlink to STACCATO:
Raymond Mardo Nov 23, 2007, 8:18pm EST
I hit the most read page with this page. Cool beans. Help me get a publishing deal with a 10 rating
David D. Nov 23, 2007, 8:27pm EST
I agree with Creola about the voting system; the way I vote is a 10 for whichever chapter I would want to continue to read. Let's face it, 10s mean that something is perfect and if any of our chapters were perfect we wouldn't need to win a contest in order to get a publishing deal (we probably would already have one)- so a 10 to me does not mean that something was perfectly written, rather that I enjoyed it. I give 10s to the stories I would continue to read (which have been the majority of them) and lower to those that I would not or that I think need a lot of work. I think this is the fairest way of judging- just my opinion.
David
Unspoken Evils
Brenda K. Nov 24, 2007, 1:13pm EST
I agree too! If we only give 10s to perfect stories, noone would get a 10! I have read MANY so far that I wanted to continue reading as they were so well written.

If you all get a chance, please check mine out - it is The Salt/Sage Murders.
Brenda K. Nov 24, 2007, 1:25pm EST
Hi David, I just read yours and it is totally awesome! Good luck to you!