Congratulations
To the winners of the cozy fantasy writing challenge!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this challenge! We received almost 1,100 submissions (whoa!) and had the best time diving into the worlds you created for us.
Everyone who submitted a story will be receiving feedback, regardless of whether or not the story placed. You can expect to receive your feedback within the next week!
And now for the winners!
Drumroll please . . .
FIRST PLACE
lavender lane by Andrea Hennen
Two renovators use therapeutic magic to soothe a combative enchanted home before it is demolished.
Trigger Warnings: mild themes of implied trauma
second PLACE
the secret keeper’s garden by Meg Denges Faulkner
Lying to a Secret Keeper can have unexpected consequences. Flora must find the truth before the lie takes its toll on her garden and the village beyond.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
third PLACE
of loss and lemons by Autumn Demberger
Andromeda is trying. Trying to move on, keep her head up, survive. Maybe, just maybe, hope lives in the heart of a lemon cookie.
Trigger Warnings: mentions of death
FOURTH PLACE
the yarn witch by Rose Kerney
A witch with a skill for working with enchanted yarn receives an unexpected visitor.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
Fifth PLACE
bog witch baked goods by Rae York
A bounty hunter centaur named Leiona embarks on a quest to reunite a lost dragon egg with its herd. By luck alone she picks up the lost scent of the herd subsequently leading her to Miriam, a mouthy bog witch who just wants to enjoy her cozy day and her honey cake.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
sixth PLACE
familiarity by Mae Cornish
A blind date with only seventeen minutes of warning is never a good thing, but a blind date with only seventeen minutes of warning contrived by your dating app-hacking, wand-stealing, bound-for-the-SPCA-if-she-steps-out-of-line-one-more-time familiar is just plain nightmarish.
Trigger Warning: adult language
seventh PLACE
cat call by Allegra Thompson
When the witch Kira’s spell goes awry, her feline familiar Onyx must seek help from passing strangers before sundown.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
eighth PLACE
the tale of the silver dragon by A.B. Vale
In the village of Hwen, an elderly story keeper by the name of Orville Kemp finds himself regaling a tale of how a dragon changed the lives of the Arlyne nomads.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
ninth PLACE
our heart’s warmth by Josh Wilcox
With her nation collapsing into strife, a lonesome baker faces burning down her bakery to preserve its legacy. But when a shivering rebel bursts in and begs her to share her warmth, the baker must decide if safeguarding her heart against the dark.means reducing it to ashes or making it a beacon
Trigger Warnings: N/A
tenth PLACE
secret of the wood by Chelsea Dahn
Charlotte has been waiting for the day her secret lover finally wants to meet in person. When he reaches out by letter, she and her best friend Heckle head into The Wood.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
honorable mentions
dinner after dragons by Kelsey Frew
Theo Fallon is an elite mage and a proud ranger who does not shy away from a fight. Unafraid in the face of every manner of monster, it’s the trip into town for errands that puts him on edge – and his feelings for a local witch that makes his hands shake.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
on the inside by Danielle England
An ugly hag is preparing for the annual Society meeting when she is interrupted by the local town’s heroes. After turning her pretty, Harm sets out to try to get her ugliness back before her friends arrive.
Trigger Warnings: Talk of poisoning
three rules of an interdimensional portal by Estefania Reyes Velez
Lucy has spent most of her life in charge of a portal to another realm. She takes her job seriously, and wouldn’t dream of shirking her duties. That is, until one fateful meeting makes her wonder if there’s more to life than following the rules.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
the fart by Sam Ford
An Elf tries human food, with disastrous consequences.
Trigger Warnings: N/A
