Good Evening.
What do Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Matheson, Harlan Ellison, and O. Henry all have in common? Each is famous for providing a great story, with a nearly unbelievable twist or suprise at the end.
I want a story with a twist (or suprise) that makes me shiver, scream of wet myself at the very end. I'm partial to horror, mystery, suspense, etc., but enter anything you like.
-No stories over 10,000 words.
-Check spelling (I won't DQ you for lots of mistakes, but do you really want to piss off the judge?)
-No erotica
-Swearing is fine by me
-If you want a better idea of what I'm talking about, think of The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Tales From the Crypt, Night Gallery. They're all TV shows, if you don't know.
-Please have a good hook within the first few pages.
-I've read most of the stories by these authors, so plagiarism will be noticed and DQ"d. (NOT Dairy Queen'd)
-I will comment on every submission, unless I get flooded with like sixty or more, which isn't bloody likely.
-No fanfiction, and Twilight-esque stories and romance make me want to gnaw my own leg off as well.
-Prewrites rock my socks
-If I get over sixty submissions, I'll send half to two friends to judge. They're writers too, don't worry. I'll read what they deem to be the best. It's just a way to thin down the pile.
Just make me happy. I've told you what I like to read (It would be wise to pick up a copy of Bradbury's The October Country, or King's Night shift, both so you'll know what I want and so you can read the best short stories of your life.
Finally, I'll be at band camp for two days after the contest ends, so don't get mad if I dont read your story right away.
What do Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Richard Matheson, Harlan Ellison, and O. Henry all have in common? Each is famous for providing a great story, with a nearly unbelievable twist or suprise at the end.
I want a story with a twist (or suprise) that makes me shiver, scream of wet myself at the very end. I'm partial to horror, mystery, suspense, etc., but enter anything you like.
-No stories over 10,000 words.
-Check spelling (I won't DQ you for lots of mistakes, but do you really want to piss off the judge?)
-No erotica
-Swearing is fine by me
-If you want a better idea of what I'm talking about, think of The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Tales From the Crypt, Night Gallery. They're all TV shows, if you don't know.
-Please have a good hook within the first few pages.
-I've read most of the stories by these authors, so plagiarism will be noticed and DQ"d. (NOT Dairy Queen'd)
-I will comment on every submission, unless I get flooded with like sixty or more, which isn't bloody likely.
-No fanfiction, and Twilight-esque stories and romance make me want to gnaw my own leg off as well.
-Prewrites rock my socks
-If I get over sixty submissions, I'll send half to two friends to judge. They're writers too, don't worry. I'll read what they deem to be the best. It's just a way to thin down the pile.
Just make me happy. I've told you what I like to read (It would be wise to pick up a copy of Bradbury's The October Country, or King's Night shift, both so you'll know what I want and so you can read the best short stories of your life.
Finally, I'll be at band camp for two days after the contest ends, so don't get mad if I dont read your story right away.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on October 10
- Rewards: Gold: 100
- Final notes: Contest judged by moderator
Contest Winners
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A conductor sees fit to use an entire city as his orchestra.by Matthew-Maldonado 2400 words, 67 comments, on Apr 28 4:24 AM. In Dark, Fantasy, Horror, Sad, Science fiction, Society, Strange
Gold trophy winner
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An evil woman can take control of anyone's mind using just one word.by tonialoise 7300 words, 8 comments, on Aug 11 5:25 PM. In Fantasy, First person
Silver trophy winner
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Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, lived a king and queen. After years of living together in their kingdom, they were blessed with aby Thorn-on-the-Rose 1000 words, 13 comments, on Aug 31 5:17 PM. In Dark, Love, Vampires
Bronze trophy winner
• Viewed by judge. Prewrite [remove]
Entries [17]
1 - 17 of 17
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Every artist was once an amateur; some stayed that way, others were mediocre, and few were brilliant.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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by Chocolate King 3300 words, 5 comments, on Aug 4 6:58 PM• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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The saddest story in my collection. I still can't believe I've written this piece...am so proud of it. Please read and share your thoughts.by prabhunath 1100 words, 20 comments, on Oct 20 3:04 PM 2007• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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The day my wife left me she said what we were both thinking.by slashinguk 2000 words, 26 comments, on May 20 3:19 PM. In First person• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Just an idea I was kicking around. A warning it is a bit creepy.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Spiritual isn’t the word that most people describe me with. But hey, desperate measures for desperate times, right? I lighted a smoke before I walked in, maybe they kill you, but everyone’s got to die sometimes. I just plan oby The Kingpin 800 words, 1 comment, on Aug 18 2:50 AM• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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She was so perfect, so worthy, how could he ignore her? 1
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What happens when common everyday scientists will go to any length for their theories? Certainly not the invention of things like Spam.• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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THE LAST STAND / On the corner of 178th Street and Fort Washington Avenue, diagonally across the street from the old YMWHA, on whose site i• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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"Hit her again! Hit her again, Laurie! God, she's reaching for the phone!by AllOuta 2400 words, 6 comments, on Feb 18 6:38 PM. In Contest entry, Crime, Dark, First person, Murder• Viewed by judge. Prewrite
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Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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Don't forget Rod Serling, creator of the Twilight Zone!
And...Ray Bradbury? I must admit I haven't read too much of his stuff, but I don't recall any twists...and actually I don't recall liking any of it in general. But, such are tastes. -
My Apologies, Rune Morose
Ray Bradbury's 'The October Country' was the best short story collection ever. It was all horror, with good twists. It's way different than his sci-fi/fantasy stuff. I'd definitely check it out if I were you. It's worth at least fifty dollars, but costs only seven or eight. seriously, I've bought the book for people I don't even like that much because it would improve their writing so much.
I didn't mention Rod Serling or Alfred Hitchcock, both known for their twists, because they are directors, not writers. (If Serling wrote, I was not aware.) -
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I love Bradbury! His writing style is one of the best I've ever read, along with the others you've mentioned. "The October Country" is fantastic, as is "The Martian Chronicles".
P.S. Serling DID write. In fact, he wrote a huge portion, perhaps even the majority?, of the Twilight Zone episodes.
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I absolutely love all the mentioned writers. Though I favor Matheson, Ellison was certainly chilled my blood on several occasions. 'Croatian' was a very unforgettable read.
Bradbury. There is a name that cannot be denied as synonymous with horror. Though the Elliot family never fails to amuse. The first story I read by Bradbury was 'Something Wicked this way Comes'. It was, to say the least, addictive. 'Dandelion Wine' was next then 'October Country'.
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Decadent Anomally
SOMJETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES IS THE BEST NOVEL I'VE EVER READ.
If any of you like this kind of writing, you may want to get Danse Macabre by Stephen King. It is a nonfiction book about the evolution of horror in the 20th century.
For Bradbury fans: SOme of you may already know that The October Country was originally called Dark Carnival. There were several more stories in Dark Carnival than October Country, but the title story was not completed in time for publication. In the end, it became Something WIcked... -
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I read Danse Macabre years ago. Because of King's recommendations I read,'Interview with the Vampire' long before there was a movie. Also, Iris Murdoch's 'The Unicorn', Straub's 'Julia' and 'Ghost Story', and Ray Russell's delve into the horrors created by the human mind, 'Sardonicus'. I believe 'Sardonicus' was recommended in 'Danse Macabre'. I do know it was through King I became aware of it and of Ray Russell.
Several nights ago I was watching Alfred Hitchcock Presents. There was another version of Bradbury's 'The Jar'. I do so love the manic obsession caused by the jar and his wife's hatred, such polar opposites.
Have you read Bradbury's 'There Will Come Soft Rains'? It is one of my favorites. While is it not exactly in the horror vein, it lends a bit of horror as we realize how insignificant we, as humsns, truly are in the grander scheme of the universe.
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Alfred Hitchcock Presents is one of my favorite shows, right up there with the twilight zone, alfred hitchcock hour, tales from the crypt and night gallery. I've never seen 'The Jar' episode, but that's one of my favorite stories ever.
Is 'There Will Come Soft Rains' a novel or story. If its a story, what collections can it be found in?
I strongly suggest that anyone here reads the Matheson stories 'BOrn of Man and Woman', 'Third From the Sun', 'The Test', 'Button, Button', 'The Distributor', and 'One For the Books'.
Read King's collection 'Night Shift', too. It's one for the fans of October Country. (His new collection, 'Just After Sunset', comes out 11-11-08). I can't wait. FInally, read the stories 'Dolan's Cadillac' and 'The End of the Whole Mess', both found in Nightmares and Dreamscapes. Dolan's Cadillac is being mad into a movie. YAY!!!!
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It was originally a chapter in the 'Martian Chronicles'. It was most recently, and probably easiest found, in the anthology 'The Stories of Ray Bradbury'.
An MP3 of a radio play version:
http://ottolejeune.com/index.php/downloads/comments/078_there_will_come_soft_rains/
Though Matheson wrote some of the best and most memorable episodes of the Twilight Zone. Bradbury's 'I Sing the Body Electric' is a great addition.
I did not know King was coming out with a new anthology. I also did not know the tidbit about 'Something Wicked'. This is a very educational conversation indeed. Thank you for the information and trivia.
All of the recommendations you made for Matheson are top notch. I have been a fan of his work for sometime now. Have you read the short story 'Lover, When You're Near Me', 'Drink My Blood', and 'First Anniversary'. There are so many excellent novels but I have to recomend 'Come Fygures, Come Shadowes'. Matheson began it but never finished. This is only a fourth of the novel. I doubt he will ever finish it, apparently it has been several decades since he wrote it. The incompletion of 'Come Fygures, Come Shadowes' is a great loss to the horror genre.
Are we forgetting another genius of the horror with a twist vein, Robert Bloch? 'House of the Hatchet' was one of the few stories to ever make me feel something akin to dread.
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The story 'Button, Button' is being made into a movie starring Cameron Diaz. I personally don't think it will be too great, because, given its length, it would be more fitting as a Twilight Zone episode. Unless Matheson writes the screenplay...
How many of you are waiting for Tim Burton to direct a 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' movie, or at least 'From The Dust Returned'? -
SORRY
Im so sorry you guys. I know how bad it is for a contest not to be judged for so long. I was on vacation with no internet access. Then I got grounded until today, and my parents wouldnt even let me on to explain to you guys.
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