#WEP OCTOBER CHALLENGE - GRAVE MISTAKE - SIGN UP HERE!

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The linky will close on the 23nd of October at 23:55 EST.

Please be sure to read and comment on everyone's entries. We may not be counting comments this time around, but it's crucial to the success of WEP that all of you continue to read and comment to the best of your ability. We all appreciate your efforts!

PLEASE TWEET THESE!

Sign up for the WEP challenge, Long Shadow. @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wep-october-challenge-grave-mistake.htmll #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry, #prizes

Join the enthusiastic writers at WEP. Sign up here for the Long Shadow challenge  @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wep-october-challenge-grave-mistake.html #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry, #prizes

Fourth WEP writing challenge of 2020 @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wep-october-challenge-grave-mistake.html Sign up or read. #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry, #prizes

Read some great short #writing here at the WEP, @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wep-october-challenge-grave-mistake.html #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry #prizes

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

#WEP October Challenge for 2020 - GRAVE MISTAKE

Hello everyone! Renée here!

I don't think I need to say anything more about 2020 and all its surprises, but I will say it's October and time to rock another flash fiction challenge! Happy Halloween!

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

My favorite holiday, and writing for it, well, it's something I look forward to every year. I think you do too!

So let's get to this month's writing challenge!

October's Challenge is

Grave Mistake!

Traditionally October is the month when we like to bring out and parade the skeletons...in the cupboards and on our brains. 

No better time for a nice juicy ghost story...a few zombies...and cozying up with the speculative, supernatural and paranormal.  Most of our community goes with the horror genre for this Challenge.

But if that's not your thing...no worries. We're flexible. Write about a grave mistake that's got nothing to do with graves or vampires or ghosties and ghoulies. 

A character rescues a strange-looking being and faces unforeseen consequences...

A forgetful parent leaves the babies on the bus...

A team of scientists goes a little too far with one of their experiments...

A doctor performs an unorthodox procedure...

Because, you see...it's so easy to make a grave mistake! 

And since WEP lite is working, we're sticking to it, at least until life returns to some semblance of normal.

WEP lite is WEP stripped of everything but the absolute essentials.

There will be no...

• Comment counting. Again this month, we rely on your goodwill to read as many entries as you can, remembering how it sucks if only 2 people read yours. Don't let this happen! You've been awesome these past two months and we applaud you for reading as many posts as you were able.
• Blurbs. We'll hold off on them again this month. 
• Constant post monitoring. We'll still try to check the website and C-Box as much as possible, but if you have a very urgent query, email Denise at den.covey@gmail.com or me, Renee at yolandarenee@hotmail.com.

There will be...

• Shortlist and judging
• Winners' post announcement
• Winner's Guest post
• Mail Chimp emails (most of the time) - please check your spam folder as our emails contain links - some email providers are over zealous and send them straight to spam! 

So, let's get to it...

This is the put-your-thinking-cap-on post ONLY. Sign up post goes live October 21st, EST, and will remain open for 3 days. Be ready to pounce! 3 days of reading and commenting. This is a great way to relax and tap into your creative side.

We all know times are tough. We hope you'll find some joy in participating in WEP. Work that stress out through your writing. Use that creative spark to bring a smile to your face - and ours.

HAPPY CREATING!

PRIZE FOR OCTOBER

This month I have a fabulous prize for our winner-- me! You got that right! This month I'm offering feedback, a content edit on your short story, flash fiction, or I'll beta read your latest WIP and give a written critique.

  Yolanda Renée

To place my credentials before you, I have (5) published novels, all part of a suspenseful/romance series set in Alaska. And I've had two short stories placed in the IWSG Anthologies. 

I ADORE writing flash fiction. Horror, romance, and mystery are favorite subjects. 
My specialty is plotting, 

so tell me what you need and I'm there.  

It's come to our attention that there have been some issues with critique prizes. Not everyone who wins WEP has something ready for critique. That's okay. If you win and don't have something ready and would like to pass the prize on to someone else who can use it, let us know! We can then offer it to the runner-up. These excellent editors have a lot to offer, and we want to make sure the prize goes to someone who needs it!

Your admin for the 
October WEP is Yolanda Renée.

For those of you who like to plan ahead, our prompt for December is:

We'd love if you'd Tweet Tweet Tweet some/all of these:

WEP writing prompt Grave Mistake @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wepiwsg-october-challenge-for-2020.html

Sign up October 21st! #amwriting #flashfiction #WEPFF #poetry #nonfiction

Get-your-thinking-caps-on for Grave Mistake @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wepiwsg-october-challenge-for-2020.html

Sign up October 21st! #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction

Join WEP @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim  for the fifth Challenge of the year, October's Grave Mistake.  Sign up on October 21st! https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wepiwsg-october-challenge-for-2020.html

#WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction

Step out of the shadows by joining @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee, @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim  for the latest Challenge! Grave Mistake Sign up October 21st! https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/10/wepiwsg-october-challenge-for-2020.html #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction

Renée

 for the WEP Team

#WEPff #WINNER of the AUGUST Challenge LONG SHADOW! Toi Thomas Guest Post: Reading and Writing to Cope-Still Waiting for Hope

 Hi! L.G. here!

The winner of the August Challenge, LONG SHADOW, joins us today. This is the second challenge in a row Toi Thomas has won, and it's no wonder. Her words are powerful and poignant.

Take it away, Toi!

Reading and Writing to Cope- Still Waiting for Hope

12 years ago, I had no idea I wanted to be a writer.

It's true that throughout my life I've always written in some way or another, but it was never something I thought I needed or wanted to pursue. Then one day, I began to find myself writing- being fueled by emotions. Going through a tough time, those words begin to help me. I was fortunate at the time that the things I wrote ended up being the first novel I ever published. While that novel isn't available to the public right now, pending a rewrite, at the time it was the most important thing in my life. Now don't get me wrong, my family and my faith have and always will always come first, but writing is what helps me keep the life- the clarity of mind- I've always had.

It's not just writing either. I've always been a fan of reading, though there was a time that I stopped reading due to the pressures of mandatory reading. Once I got over and past that, reading became part of my life again and just like writing it helped to soothe me- to help keep the balance and clarity I needed. Sometimes that means reading my Bible or reading devotionals but for me, mostly, it's fiction that really impacts and embraces me.

I become overwhelmed by the things people are able to imagine in their minds- things that are many times clearly inspired by reality, whether that reality is good or bad, fair or terrifying, fiction has always been that thing that has helped me cope.

I have been struggling lately. I'm not even sure if “struggle” is the right word but it's the one that I have for right now. I am living through a time that history has continued to repeat, and it breaks my heart daily. I live in a world where someone who looks like me can die at any moment if they piss-off the wrong person with skin lighter than ours. It breaks my heart that other people don't, or refuse to, see the Injustice of the world that we live in. It breaks my heart that people don’t, or refuse to, acknowledge their privilege and acknowledge the brutality that others have to face every day.

People of color, especially black people in the U.S., live in fear. Because of the color of our skin, the police will shoot us instead of talking to us or offering us due process. We don't get to walk out of our houses and tell someone to leave us alone if they're bothering us. No, instead, we get to keep our mouths shut, we get to hold our heads down, and we get to pray that we make it home every day.

So, these are the things that I have been reading about. These are the things that I have been writing about. These are the things that I have been trying to cope with. So many people right now are focused on the horrifying pandemic that we're all dealing with, but for me, the pandemic is the least of my worries. Dying from covid-19 doesn’t scare me- it’s preventable. Having a headlight go out scares me because I could get pulled over by a cop and be killed for being the wrong color.

So, these are my words. I write them to help me cope- still waiting for hope.

-

My latest release: Why Are You Afraid?

There’s no easy way to explain racism, especially to young kids, but the sooner kids learn the truth, the better they can combat it and work to help make changes.

This is a light, yet serious, story about perceptions. This book was written to help parents start the race conversation with their children, whatever their race or skin color may be.

Amazon link

-

Toi Thomas is a geek-girl, vinyl collector, chocoholic, movie buff, animal lover, avid reader and reviewer, blogger, vlogger, and an indie author of children's books, fiction, and nonfiction. Find Toi online at the following links.

Website- The ToiBox of Words

YouTube- Toi Thomas

Facebook- Toi Thomas Author

Twitter- @ToiThomas

Website- Lit Carnivale

YouTube- Carnie the Bookworm

Instagram- @CarnieTheBookworm

Thank you so much for the guest post Toi, and congratulations once again for your win for LONG SHADOW!

Our next challenge is almost here! Please get your thinking caps on for GRAVE MISTAKE. The first post will go up on October 1st. Have your entries ready by October 21st-23rd. Once again, we will be practicing WEP-Lite.

L.G. for the team:

SHARE THE LOVE!

@ToiThomas #WEPLONGSHADOW  #WEPwinner #guestpost https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/09/wepff-winner-of-august-challenge-long.html @DeniseCCovey, @YolandaRenee, @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim #amwriting #writingchallenge

@ToiThomas #WEPLONGSHADOW  #WEPwinner Reading and Writing to Cope #guestpost https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/09/wepff-winner-of-august-challenge-long.html @DeniseCCovey, @YolandaRenee, @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim #amwriting #writingchallenge

@ToiThomas #WEPLONGSHADOW  #WEPwinner  Reading and Writing to Cope-Still Waiting for Hope #guestpost https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/09/wepff-winner-of-august-challenge-long.html @DeniseCCovey, @YolandaRenee, @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim #amwriting #writingchallenge

#WEPFF #WINNERS' POST - LONG SHADOW

Hello everyone! This month saw a lot of great entries! We also noticed many of you were inspired to write poetry this time around, and it was all so good! Thank you to everyone who gave it their all and joined in with us for this challenge.

Since we're still keeping things lite, there will be no blurbs again this month.

SHORTLIST

It's never easy to decide on a short list, and this challenge was no exception. After some debate, here is the final short list we sent off to our judge, Nick Wilford. We've added a link for you to check them out if you didn't get to read them.

C. Lee McKenzie- The Lynching

Dixie Jarchow- Choices

Toi Thomas- A Growing Flame

Bernadette Braganza- The Deserted Railway Station

Elephant's Child- Me and My Shadow

Susan Rouchard- The Banker

DM Hanton- Long Shadow

Sonia Dogra- Long Shadow

~*~

COMMENTING

We would like to thank all of you who have made the effort to comment on all/most of the entries. That is such a crucial part of making WEP work. Though we didn't count them this time around, we still notice and appreciate your thoughtful responses to each entry.

CRITIQUE PRIZE

As you all know, the winner of each challenge receives a critique prize. This month, Juneta Key is offering a fabulous prize: 

-feedback and an edit on a short story, flash fiction, or the first twenty pages of a manuscript

-an Author Spotlight on Writer's Gambit & Stormdance Publications

-questions/setup with website or technical help

-questions/setup with Facebook or Twitter

Juneta writes speculative fiction involving Grumpy Old Gods, Space Opera, Paranormal & Sci-Fi Fantasy.  She is co-owner/editor and website manager of Stormdance Publications.  She is the fiction columnist and editor of The Ninja Writers Pub, and manager of the accountability program, teaches short story and host fiction co-working calls, write-ins for Ninja Writers. She offers coaching in story development/world building, short story, Scrivener, Scapple, Canva help. Her contact. 

Website | Amazon Author Page | Medium Profile | Facebook | Twitter

OUR WINNERS

THE WINNER OF AUGUST 2020'S CHALLENGE

LONG SHADOW IS:

Congratulations, Toi!

Nick wrote: "Haunting and poignant. Only needs a few words to create a powerful impact."

You always amaze us with your ability to move and inspire us in so few words, Toi. Please link the badge to your poem, A Growing Flame, and post it on your blog. You've also won this month's fabulous critique prize!

Congratulations again on your evocative entry!

~*~

THE RUNNER-UP OF AUGUST 2020'S CHALLENGE

LONG SHADOW IS:

Congratulations, Dixie!

Nick wrote: "I liked the mixture of a mystical fantasy atmosphere with the timely issue of gender. Great take."

Dixie, please link the badge to your story, Choices, and post it on your blog.

~*~

THE ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD WINNER FOR AUGUST 2020'S CHALLENGE

LONG SHADOW IS:

Congratulations, Sonia!

Nick wrote: "Beautiful and exotic, I really like the introduction of the myth and accompanying intrigue."

Sonia, please link the badge to your story, Long Shadow, and post it on your blog.

~*~

We also have a special award this month. This is an award the WEP team hands out when we feel the need to acknowledge a WEP participant for their dedication, regardless of whether they make the shortlist.

This month we would like to acknowledge Roland Clarke. He posted this month despite personal struggles that made it extremely difficult, and his ability to serialize always impresses us. 

Roland, please link this badge to your story, Chapter Four: Umbrage, and post it on your blog.

Here's our prompt for OCTOBER. Let's get those thinking caps on. The thinking-caps post will go up on October 1st. The sign-up post will then go live on October 21st. October is our BIG month where we delve deep into dark tales. If darkness isn't your forte (you may well think there's enough darkness in the world without adding to it!) respond in whatever way you wish. 

This is a wonderful badge from our creator, Olga Godim. Its atmospherics conjure up all sorts of Edgar Allen Poe imagery. OOOOH. Let's get creative!

FROM THE CHALLENGES 2020 PAGE: 

Traditionally October is the month when we like to bring out and parade the skeletons...in the cupboards and on our brains. 

Stay safe and well everyone, and here's to a super creative October!

We'd love for you to tweet this post or share it to Facebook or your favorite social media site.

Read excellent entries from our WEP August winners @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @LGKeltner @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepff-winners-post-long-shadow.html #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners

#WEPFF LONG SHADOW winners announced @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @LGKeltner @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepff-winners-post-long-shadow.html #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners 

Come congratulate our August winners. #WEPFF LONG SHADOW Challenge @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @OlgaGodim @LGKeltner #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepff-winners-post-long-shadow.html

The #WEPFF writers had some fantastic entries! WEP winners announced! @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @OlgaGodim @LGKeltner #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepff-winners-post-long-shadow.html

#WEPFF LONG SHADOW @DeniseCCovey @yolndarenee @OlgaGodim @LGKeltner #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepff-winners-post-long-shadow.html

Thank you for the writing excellence, WEP Winners! @LGKeltner @DeniseCCovey @yolandarenee @OlgaGodim #amwriting #flashfiction #wepwinners https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepff-winners-post-long-shadow.html

#WEP AUGUST CHALLENGE - LONG SHADOW - SIGN UP HERE

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______________________________________________________________________

The linky will close on the 22nd of August at 23:55 EST.

Please be sure to read and comment on everyone's entries. We may not be counting comments this time around, but it's crucial to the success of WEP that all of you continue to read and comment to the best of your ability. We all appreciate your efforts!

PLEASE TWEET THESE!

Sign up for the WEP challenge, Long Shadow. @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wep-august-challenge-long-shadow-sign.html #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry, #prizes

Join the enthusiastic writers at WEP. Sign up here for the Long Shadow challenge  @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wep-august-challenge-long-shadow-sign.html #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry, #prizes

Fourth WEP writing challenge of 2020 @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wep-august-challenge-long-shadow-sign.html Sign up or read. #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry, #prizes

Read some great short #writing here at the WEP, @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wep-august-challenge-long-shadow-sign.html #amwriting, #amreading, #amediting, #ff, #flashfiction, #nonfiction, #poetry #prizes

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!

#WEP/IWSG August Challenge for 2020 - Long Shadow

Hello everyone! Laura here!

2020 has proven to be a stressful and frightening time for us all, and we're so grateful that so many of you continue to take part in WEP! Perhaps writing and community are just the thing so many of us need right now.

Let's talk a little about this month's writing challenge!

Welcome to the August Challenge

Long Shadow!

Firstly, we tried something new last challenge, WEP lite. For those of you who weren't here for it last time around, here are the basics.

WEP lite is WEP stripped of everything but the absolute essentials.

There will be no...

• Comment counting. Again this month we rely on your goodwill to read as many entries as you can, remembering how it sucks if only 2 people read yours. Don't let this happen!
• Blurbs. We'll hold off on them again this month. 
• Constant post monitoring. We'll still try to check the website and C-Box as much as possible, but if you have a very urgent query, email Denise at den.covey@gmail.com.

There will be...

• Shortlist and judging
• Winners' post announcement
• Winner's Guest post
• Mail Chimp emails (at least some of the time)

So, let's get to it...

This is the put-your-thinking-cap-on post ONLY. Sign up post goes live August 19, EST, and will remain open for 3 days. Be ready to pounce! 3 days of reading and commenting. This is a great way to relax and tap in to your creative side.

We all know times are tough. We hope you'll find some joy in participating in WEP. Work that stress out through your writing. Use that creative spark to bring a smile to your face.

HAPPY CREATING!

How does the Long Shadow prompt inspire you?

Do you ever feel like someone is watching you from the shadows?

Do you feel as if you live in the shadow of another and yearn to break free?

Or is your shadow a dark secret that you carry with you and would do anything to protect?

What hides within the long shadow?

PRIZE FOR AUGUST

This month we have a wonderful prize for our winner! Juneta Key is offering feedback and an edit on a short story, a piece of flash fiction, or the first twenty pages of a manuscript.  On top of that, the winner will also receive an author spotlight on Writer's Gambit and Stormdance Publications, questions/setup with website or technical help, and questions/setup with Facebook or Twitter.

It's come to our attention that there have been some issues with critique prizes. Not everyone who wins WEP has something ready for critique. That's okay. If you win and you don't have something ready and would like to pass the prize on to someone else who can use it, let us know! We can then offer it to the runner-up. These wonderful editors have a lot to offer, and we want to make sure the prize goes to someone who needs it!

Your admin for the August WEP is L.G.

For those of you who like to plan ahead, our prompt for October is:

We'd love if you'd Tweet Tweet Tweet some/all of these:

WEP writing prompt Long Shadow @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepiwsg-august-challenge-for-2020-long.html

Sign up August 19! #amwriting #flashfiction #WEPFF #poetry #nonfiction

Get-your-thinking-caps-on for Long Shadow @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepiwsg-august-challenge-for-2020-long.html

Sign up August 19! #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction

Join WEP @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim  for the fourth challenge of the year August Long Shadow Sign up August 19! https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepiwsg-august-challenge-for-2020-long.html

#WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction

Step out of the shadows by joining @DeniseCCovey @YolandaRenee @LGKeltner, @OlgaGodim  for the latest challenge! Long Shadow Sign up August 19! https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/2020/08/wepiwsg-august-challenge-for-2020-long.html #WEPFF #amwriting #flashfiction #poetry #nonfiction

Laura for the WEP Team