Tiara Day Contest WINNERS!

What's that? You're tired of waiting for the winners to be announced?

Really, if you're breaking into publishing I should do you a favor and make you wait a few more weeks. Just to get a taste. :)

But NO, I will not do that! I will announce the winners Right Now!!

All entries were judged independently by SIX judges, and the entries with the most votes won. We actually had a consensus right away with the two grand prizes, though the other ones were difficult to choose!

So, in reverse order:

Winners of BOOKS!! We loved these entries. They were original, well-written, and even funny.

• Annika:

Bella Cullen was tired of being Edward’s princess. She took off her tiara and threw it on the floor, shocking her perfect, sparkly prince.

Our judges loved the twist on TWILIGHT.


• Kari Lynn Dell:
  

When the ambulance had gone, we caught the horse, straightened the saddle, dusted off the formerly pristine white hat and replaced the tiara, sparkly in the sun. “Perhaps,” I said, “someone should have reminded the rodeo princess to tighten her cinch.”

This was an original take on the tiara/sparkly theme, and showed Kari's voice really clearly--in just 50 words.


• Terri:
  

Tongues wagged as the newlyweds left the church.
"Ain't she just pretty as a princess in that sparkly tiara."
"Old fool's got forty years on her. Where's her family?"
"Got none. She's an orphan."
"Bet he's happy."
They were right. The local taxidermist had finally found the perfect trophy wife.

This one felt like a mini Twilight Zone--the implications gave us chills.

Winner of the 1-year subscription to Poets and Writers magazine, for Best Twist on the Theme:

• Bill Cameron:
  

She gazes into the sparkly depths of gin and ice, fingers her sash. "Princess," it reads. Runner up . . . Loser.

"Screw that." She sips gin and smiles. On the floor at her feet, the red-splashed tiara protrudes from a long, elegant throat.

If the winning contestant cannot perform her duties . . .

I LOVED this little story. I want Bill to write this book now.

And the winner of the 50-page crit from Suzie Townsend, for Best Story:

• Julie Butcher-Fedynich!

Thorns encircled the tower, huge pointy thorns. They dripped crimson poison and waited for the unwary climber. In the oval window, the princess in her sparkly tiara sighed and looked into the distance. She was so beautiful.
He looked at the thorns and again at the princess.
Bummer.

This one is so traditional...until the last word. Love that.

AND I would be remiss if I didn't announce a special sparkly Honorable Mention prize that was voted unanimously by all the judges:

Janet Reid!!

The princess phone jangled at Sparkle Sparkle and Wheeze headquarters.

"You called, you talk," answered Miss Tia Ra, of the royal Egyptian Ras.

"My sparkle isn't sparkly anymore," sobbed Miss Schwab. "My GRE is making me blah"

"Medicinal cupcakes!" TiaRa barked to her minion. "Spectacular redazzler on their way ASAP!"

Miss Shark, you win the undying love of all of Team Sparkle. Oh, wait, you already had that! And cookies. Lots of cookies.

Congratulations to all the winners--and to all of you who took the time to play. Thanks SO much. And keep your eye out for the next Tiara Day, even if we don't have a contest!

Winners, I'll send you an email shortly! Those who won books, first to respond gets first pick!