News Archive: First Time Writers Challenge 2009

Color us pleased and ecstatic at the response to our first time writers challenge. More than 40 stories were submitted, and 30 made it into the final competition. What excited us was the diversity. We expected Edward and Bella, that’s what drew us in. But we got more than that. Jasper and Alice, Jane, Rosalie. Canon, AU, AH. Ratings from K+ to M. The originality and the diversity of the stories submitted was impressive, and we were thoroughly surprised by the caliber and thought that went into the submissions.

The response and work exceeded anything in our expectations, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone that participated, from writers to readers to judges. We had a great time, and hope that you all enjoy reading.

Thanks again!

Popular Vote Winner:
Phases, by Vampyr08 http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5455257/1/Phases
How did Alice feel when it was decided that the Cullens were leaving Bella behind in New Moon? A quick look at Alice's take of Bella being removed from her life.
Rated: T - Angst/Hurt/Comfort
Words: 3,627
Alice & Jasper

Popular Vote Runner Up:
572 by BritKat http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5469669/1/572
Can the girl on the train solve Edward's little problem?
Rated: M - General/Humor
Words: 9,252
Edward & Bella

Judges Recomnendations:
Best Canon
Becoming Jane, by LoreliD http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5461314/1/
As Jane burns at the stake convicted of witchcraft; she vows vengeance upon her accuser. Once she joins the Volturi, Jane’s sweet revenge is within reach. Canon, M for dark themes & graphic violence
Rated: M - Horror/Drama
Words: 11,768
Jane

Best Non Canon Pairing
The Corner of Your Heart by TheHeartofLifeisGood http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5455372/1
Rosalie and Edward have been friends since childhood, but he has a new girl in his life and Rosalie’s feelings for him have changed. A story about the shifting tides of friendship. AH.
Rated: M - Friendship/General
Words: 7,421
Rosalie & Edward

Best K-T Rated
Times Like These by AnjieNet http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5469535/1/Times_Like_These
A story of firsts: love, loss and moving on. AH BxE
Rated: T - Romance/Hurt/Comfort
Words: 3,633
Bella & Edward

Best M Rated
Finding Peace by LaraCFF http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5467036/1/
Set in Italy during WWII, Bella is a Red Cross volunteer stationed with conflicted Army doctor Edward. Can they find solace in each other amidst the harsh realities of war?
Rated: M - Romance/Drama
Words: 4,053
Bella & Edward

We’ve been so incredibly pleased and surprised by the First Time Writers Challenge Entries. They span Canon, AU, and AUH. Ratings K+ through M. We have everything from Bella and Edward to fics about Jane, Renee and Rose. All in all, we can’t be any more excited.

Voting will be open from 11/2/2009 through 11/15/2009.

A few gentle requests:

• Please take the time to read all the entries before submitting your vote.
• Please leave feedback for the stories you read in the way of reviews, we are sure the authors would appreciate thoughts/reactions/feedback/etc.
• Please vote for the best story regardless of things like rating, pairing, or genre. This is about recognizing and encouraging new talent – be open to trying some new things, you might find somethings that surprise and delight you.

Congrats to the first time writers for taking the leap of faith! We hope you all enjoying reading, we did!

The Indies First Time Writers Challenge Team
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1932870/Indie_Twific_Awards

The deadline for story submission has been extended to 10/30 - 11:59pm EST due to new account wait on fanfiction.com. If you have not created an account yet on fanfiction.com to post your story, please do it asap, as there is a 2 day wait from creation of a profile to the time that you can post a story.

Once you have your story loaded, please submit your story HERE

Wondering what stories have made the Indies First Time Writer's challenge? Well, we've posted the first stories received and validated to our C2 on fanfiction, follow the link and remember to review! Let's welcome this new writers by leaving some feedback!

The Indies First Time Writer Challenge to view them!

Thank you for the interest in the Indies First Time Writers Challenge! The entries are starting to trickle in, along with a number of questions. We've outlined the most common below to eliminate any confusion writers might have. This list is in now way exhaustive. If you have a question that you don't see addressed here, please email us
at indie.twific.awards@gmail.com, we'll happily help out! You can also @ reply to us on Twitter, at @TheIndiesTwific

Can I submit a multi-chaptered story?

• No, entries for this contest must be in oneshot form. We need to be able to gauge a piece of writing with a clear beginning, middle, and end that can stand on it's own,. You do have the option to expand and continue your story after the contest.

What if I wrote in the Harry Potter/Maximum Ride/Jane Austen/LOTR/Insert Fandom Here?

• You have to be truly a 1st time writer to enter. We may expand to cross over authors in future contests but for this one we are sticking to those authors that do not have any published works on fandoms, blogs, etc.

What if I once published something on a friend's story?

• If your name appears as author of anything published on the internet (with the exception of the twilight 25), you are not a first time writer. We love you though!

If I have a story I published 3 months ago, can I enter the contest?

• Your story needs to have been published from the date the contest opened. You also must include the Contest banner on the heading.

Can you explain the theme? How specific does it have to be?

• We left the theme purposely open to allow writers to chose how they wished to interpret it. It does not have to be smut, remember that life is full of first times. The first time you went to school, the first time you saw the one you love, the first time you knew you would spend the rest of your life loving that person. The list goes on!

Calling all readers who aspire to be writers...
Or closet writers who need that final inspiration to post!

We Want YOU....to Write!

We are launching The Indies First Time Writers Challenge. This is open to anyone who has not posted a fic but has always wanted to. Get your creative juices flowing, and visit our Rules/Process page to read more about it!