Wicked Writing IV Winner!!
Drumroll please...
3.
Long.
Months.
That’s how long it’s been since this chapter of the Wicked Writing contest kicked off and, my oh my, how we’ve been eagerly awaiting this day.
Come the New Year we decided to make a scary change; a new 3 month contest timeline rather than the 1 month timeline we used in 2023. To say we were biting our nails about the results of this decision is an understatement.
Would people forget about the contest over such a long period?
Would it still hold interest if it wasn’t in everyone’s face each month?
What are we going to do with all the extra time?
After December’s contest fell flat and was cancelled, we knew something had to change. What we didn’t know is if this contest was just a fad that would fade into obscurity after the initial few contests or if we were just doing something wrong.
We should have known, Wicked Writing will never be a fad and it will never fade away.
We are happy to report that very decision has resulted in the most successful Wicked Writing contest since…ever! We received more submissions than ever, and you all really turned the quality up a few notches. What the judges and team read through was absolutely astounding—you should all be extremely proud of yourselves, winner or not.
Turns out that when you give authors ample time to write instead of rushing them they…well, they write and they write damn well!
From the bottom of our dead, black hearts…thank you for staying with us and being patient while we figure out the best ways for us to bring you these contests. To those who miss the monthly version of this contest, our condolences. May it rest in peace.
Now, for what you’ve all been waiting for…
The winners of Wicked Writing IV are…
1st Place: “Nicholas, Sing ‘The Rite of Spring’” by
Sam absolutely blew us away with this gruesome tale! Such a wicked idea written with passion and the intent to send chills up the readers spine. The unique way the theme was adapted into the story is definitely one of the highlights and it is not likely a story we will forget any time soon. Sam has won the first place prize which includes a $20 e-gift card and the featured spot in this years anthology. Massive congratulations to Sam! Check out his publication Treats of Writing to read his story and other work.
Score: 41/50
2nd Place: “Judith” by
It is unfortunate we could not have two 1st place winners because this story deserves as much praise as the winning one. This story truly takes you on a wild ride and packs so much content into such a short package. Masterful writing to say the least! Check out Iris’s work and her story at her publication, Long Oddities.
Score: 40/50
3rd Place: “Bruyeres” by
A beautifully macabre tale that bleeds elegance and tragedy. The tune that inspired the story haunts our minds long after reading. We loved everything that Kathrine was doing with this story! Go and check out the story and her work at her publication, Kathrine’s Substack.
Score: 38/50
4th Place: “Rock and Roll Heaven” by
A story that really digs into its rock and roll roots and capitalizes in the best of ways. An interesting premise that is sure to leave you in disbelief but wanting more! Bill’s story and work can be found at his publication, Everywhere and Nowhere.
Score: 37/50
5th Place: “Apple Snake” by
Such a fun, twisted tale tale that doesn’t let up from the start. The main character really shines in this one and left us wanting more! If Apple Snake sounds weird to you, that’s because it is and that’s what makes it great. Don’t misssssss out on this one! Go check out Sean’s work and his story at his publication, Automatic Writer.
Score: 36/50
Honorable Mentions (Scores above 30)
“Dirty Little Bird” by | Score: 34/50
“Murder Ballad” by | Score: 31/50
“The Parable of Jimmy Grey” by | Score: 35/50
“The Music Shaped Hole” by | Score: 33/50
“Ancestors” by | Score: 31/50
*An average was taken from each of the 3 judges scores and applied as the final score.
Your Weekly Horror Directory
The Alchemists (Original Fiction)
“Sins of the Father: Part 1 - Meetings” by
“Salt” by
“Microdosing - 70mg of Fiction” by
“Oh Whistle, My Child, and I Will Come For You” by
“Saul” by
“You are a Clown: A Short Play” by
“Voicemail” by
"The Detectives (Original Non-Fiction)
“The Dearg Due - The Red Blood Sucker” by
“The Legacy of Lovecraft: How the Mythos Emerged from the Shadows, Part II” by
The Muses (Poetry)
The Collectors (Book/Film recommendations)
“Fresh” by
“Our Lady of Perpetually Bad Vibes - Immaculate (2024)” by
“Chronicle of a Death Foretold” by
The Peddlers (Book promotions)
The Dissectors (Reviews)
“Cinemuse | The Skeleton Key (2005)” by
“A Writer’s Reflection: The Lawnmower Man by Stephen King” by
“Asami from Audition: The Twisted, Evil Sadist With Whom I Am Infatuated and Repelled” by
The Loudmouths (Notes)
“The Clown Demands an Answer” by
“School of Medicine Museum in Mexico City” by
That’s all we have for you this week! Check back in next Monday for the announcement of the next Wicked Writing Contest!!!
Join the discussion on Notes here on the Substack platform every Monday!
Stay Spooky.
~The Macabre Monday Team
Congratulations everyone! Looking forward to reading your stories 😃
Thank you! It was a pleasure to submit and an honor to be chosen.