The best story of 2015 - Vote now!

[xiagan]

For the second time we are choosing a best of the best story from our writing contests!

In 2015 15 stories won our monthly contest (because of ties in the voting).

Everybody has three votes and I'm going to run the poll for 90 days - so you have plenty of time to read all the stories and to decide which one (or two or three) you liked best.

Be sure to tell everybody that here are 15 top stories (each one already won a contest!) that can be read for free - we just ask you to vote.




January - Science Fiction: Junk Mail by Giddler


February - Fanfic: Ghost in the Light by Saraband (Broken Empire)


March - Rogues: The 7 Tenets of Rogueishness by Rukaio_Alter


April - Plot Twist: A Twist too Far by Rukaio_Alter


May - Fairy Tales: The Sun, the Moon and the Morning Star by Jmack


June - Multiple POVs: The Braying Jack by Jeryn


July - Flash Fiction: For Evil to Triumph by wakarimasen and Last Regrets by OnlyOneHighlander


August - Space Opera: Space Opera by Jmack


September - Politics, Scheming and Intrigue: The Translator by tebakutis


October - TNotSSmbtoaFBbtSiathatdwtB: The Exorcist by Nora


November - Mighty Beasts: The Magnificent Mythical Zoo (No Refunds) by Rukaio_Alter


December - Young Love: Adrift by tebakutis and An Unconventional Proposal by Rukaio_Alter and The Library of Alexander by Jmack

[ScarletBea]

Oh wow.
I was thinking: if we have an average of 12 stories each month, at 1,500 words each, it means that last year we read 216,000 words on top of our books! How many pages are those many words? 2.5 pages per story/1,500 words? Then it's around 360 pages!!
 
And now I'll read 15 more stories, again!

Life's great

[Rukaio_Alter]

Well, I guess that answered my question in the Dec Voting Thread. 

Anyway, I got four horses in this race, people. That's nearly a third of the year. Therefore, logically, since you have three votes, at least one of those votes must legally go to one of my stories. That's how these things work, don't try to deny it. And definitely don't think about it. I said the word 'logically' therefore it must be true.

On a separate, more serious note, I do wonder whether we really need 3 whole months to vote. I know there was a was a problem with lack of votes last year, but the writing contest seems to have grown a much more consistent reader/voter base since then and most people have already read at least a few of the winners. Maybe cut it down to 45 days with the occasional nudging reminder? We can always extend it again if necessary.

On another separate, less serious note, it feels weird that half my entries are 'Rukaio Alter' while the other half are 'Rukaio_Alter'. I know it's a really small complaint but it's making me feel all OCD about it.

[Raptori]

Voted!

Seeing the winners listed like that, it's interesting how much the consensus has differed from my votes - I voted for the winner in only three months. Which happens to make this a pretty easy vote for me!

[ScarletBea]

Did you read them all again? I can't remember any details, except for a couple (and the December ones, hehe), so I'll have to re-read.
And me having voted for them at the time is no guarantee I'll still like them, in comparison with the others

[JMack]

 I voted last night.
I didn't re-read them all, because I remember by the titles which ones I felt really passionate about.
And since I was legally required to make at least one vote for RA... 
And can't vote for my own 

Now, if I was only given one vote, I'd definitely have had to go back to read the three I chose just now.

[Lady Ty]

Voted just re-read the three that had stood out for me to make sure they were my top choice from all those winners. Good luck, can't wait to see results.

[Nora]

What if we're deeply egotistic and genuinely think that our story is the best of the year?

*go hide in a corner* 

This will take a little reading, since i wasn't tree for the two first month and didn't vote for all of these stories so forgot a few, but damn, am I PROUD to have made it on the list! On my first year as a wannabe writer, from people of such good taste and talent as most of you guys... Almost makes me teary! Snif! 

[Raptori]

Did you read them all again? I can't remember any details, except for a couple (and the December ones, hehe), so I'll have to re-read.
And me having voted for them at the time is no guarantee I'll still like them, in comparison with the others

Nah, no need since I remember enough of all of them to be sure those three are the ones I liked the most. 

[xiagan]

Four people voted so far and the twelve votes are spread over ten stories. This will be interesting.

[xiagan]

On another separate, less serious note, it feels weird that half my entries are 'Rukaio Alter' while the other half are 'Rukaio_Alter'. I know it's a really small complaint but it's making me feel all OCD about it.

Your fault for changing your name in the middle of the year.

[JMack]

On another separate, less serious note, it feels weird that half my entries are 'Rukaio Alter' while the other half are 'Rukaio_Alter'. I know it's a really small complaint but it's making me feel all OCD about it.

Your fault for changing your name in the middle of the year.

Ha! And this means that Rukaio Alter and Rukaio_Alter are two different authors, so RA does not have 4 wins, and I, yes I and only I, am the GREAT BWAHAHA OF THE MONTHLY CONTEST!!!!!!!!

[looks at screen. Wonders if he's already had too much coffee, way too early]

[presses "Post" anyway]

[SJBudd]

This is a great idea will read them all again. Didn't realise just how many times Rukaio_Alter and Jmack have won them, oh man I need to up my game 

[Eclipse]

Voted that was hard I could have done with another 12 votes 

[ScarletBea]

Voted, and I didn't need to re-read them after all: once I went to the story, I could remember them after all.
I could have used another 5-6 votes, yes

I also vote for reducing the voting time: end of April? That is FAR too long...

Hey people, come vote!