Mini-Contests
On The
Premises occasionally
runs mini-contests with very small prizes (and still no
entry fees). These are open only to newsletter subscribers.
The first was held in December 2006 and challenged
contestants to tell a complete story between 10 and 20
words long. (A “complete story,” in our view, has, or at
least strongly implies, a character, a problem, and a
resolution.)
Up to three entries per author were allowed. We received
106 entries from 74 unique authors. Fourteen entries were
considered contenders. Each judge labeled one contender as
“My favorite” and rated the others as “yes,” “maybe,” or
“no.”
It seems our judges have very different tastes. It was
nearly impossible to please all five of us, but the three
winners did. They are the only contenders that did not
receive any “no” votes.
Third
Place ($10) by Betty Ulrich
She wore the perfect wedding dress, symbol of ever-after
dreams, romantic honeymoon, loving groom. Sighing, she
mounted the runway.
Second
Place ($15) by Teresa K. Thorne
Head on her paws, the starving dog waited, eyes fixed on
the
boarded-up door.
First
Place ($20) by Sheila Crosby
Shopping lists - January: Flowers, chocolates, wine.
April: Diamond ring, champagne.
August: Insurance, duct tape, trash bags, chain saw, spade.
Honorable
Mentions (no money, just fame)
Six other contenders received at least two “yes” votes, or
were one judge’s favorite. They are considered honorable
mentions and are listed below in random
order.
In retrospect,
“Bugger off” was probably not the most prudent way to
respond to a summons from Almighty God.
(by Mark
Nutter)
Shovel driveway. Along comes snowplow. Shovel driveway.
Along comes snowplow. Throw down shovel. Go for a drink.
(by Donna
Burton)
Mah TV’s busted
but Ahh got these fine sunglasses. They’ll pertect mah eyes
when Ahh watch the Sun go nova.
(by Richard
Lyon)
Hold my hand, I said. She didn’t. “Then tie your shoes.”
She didn’t. She never did. She never would.
(by Joe
Parslow)
He tabulates figures, adds, divides, converts her love into
alimony. She folds his cuff before it dips into the coffee.
(by Swapna
Kishore)
In abject
horror, naked, I watch the numbers come to rest. Ashamed, I
swear off donuts. There’s nobody to hear.
(by Joy
Pincus)
Now
It’s Our Turn
Our judges wanted to try, too. So...
Darrell shows the drugs, but hides his badge. The buyer
grins and flashes her own badge. Darrell starts swearing.
(by Tarl
Kudrick)
“Elves get
paid, but reindeer just get hay,” Santa realized as he fell
5,000 feet into the icy ocean.
(by Blanche
Kapustin)
Pitch
black: impossible to see the creature. I grope, find a
switch.
Oh -- there he is. I close my eyes.
(by Francis
Heaney)
Mission:
Infiltrate, observe, recommend. Observation: Tall, wet
six-legs easily distinguished from short, dry two-legs.
Recommendation: Revise invasion strategy.
(by Bethany
Granger)
Widow
Adams delightedly signs for certified letters every
day.
The
postman smiles, ignoring how her signature matches each
handwritten address.
(by Geoff
Duncan)