Our community has grown so quickly in the last few months. We’re still small, but the rush of creativity and stories has been wonderful.

I’ve been struggling to keep up with responding to everyone! As we finished the Fairy Tale contest, and announced the new Fantasy Story contest, we realized we needed a new piece to the puzzle.

Submitting stories to contests started out as something only members could do. But then so  many guests emailed in asking to join, that we opened up the rules and allowed anyone to enter the contests!

But then we started seeing ‘problems’: guests were submitting using a special form. Members were posting in the groups. Judges needed to be looking in 3 different places… and everyone wanted to see all the stories that made it through the rounds.

So, back to the drawing board.

• We needed an easy way for contest members to send in their stories, work on their revisions, and see all the other entries.
• We needed a simple way for authors to share their photos and bios.
• And we needed a simple way for judges to review and vote the entries into the next rounds!

Announcing our new upgrade: the Journal website.

• Now participants in the contests can create a free profile in the Journal, and submit their stories in a quick, easy way.
• Build your beautiful author page like its your own website!
• Start building your writing portfolio of stories you’re happy to share.
• Read and give feedback on everyone’s entries!

Of course, authors can still post any stories and WIPs in the private groups.

But now, guests and members can rub shoulders together and share their work.

Who gets published on the website?

For now, only authors that make it to Round 1 of the contests. We’re starting with the top 10 best entries. As more come in, we may increase that number.

We will also feature Honorable Mention stories – don’t fit the contest, but are phenomenal in their own right.

So, if you’re entering the Fantasy Short Story contest, check out the rules, and head on over to submit your entry!

Once we have our winning finalists, we will post about the printable journal, Pennon.

Your ideas and suggestions are welcome! Comment below what you think.