WINNER!

My story, "Notice," has taken First Place in the 2008 Flamingo Writer Contest! Professor Lany (my writing professor) submitted the story for me, and what a pleasant surprise when he informed me that I had won.

He said, "You've got some money coming to you."

I said, "Yeah...wait, what do you mean."

Then he said, "You won!"

"Won what?"

"The Flamingo Writer Contest!"

"You're kidding!"

"No way, man! You won!"

"Wow!"

"Yeah, you know which one won? You're story, Notice."

"Cool."

And that was the extent of my initial reaction: cool.

Dr. Jeffries, the editor of the Flamingo Writer, will be interviewing me for their website, so I'll post a link later on.

Here's what the judge of the contest, Darlene H. Eaton, had to say about the story:

Outstanding workmanship. Tightly constructed. I found the story had me hooked from the first line. Walter is so very real - his actions, his thoughts, his words. He was alive to me from the first line. I was interested in what was happening to him, literally caught up in his concerns. Excellent story in every detail. No one need try to tell me that Walter is just a "fictional" protagonist, for he's absolutely fully alive. Good job! No, great job! (Must also mention that I am impressed that this fine story has a hard-punching message too! The writer covered every wondrous base that I consider desirable in good fiction.)

So, be sure to read my award-winning short story "Notice" if you haven't already!