WRITERS: We changed the rules for the second and third contest to include highly-ranked stories in our series of print anthology books. Unfortunately, we HAD to push back the third contest - there are just too many projects right now for us to give this the time it requires! The third contest will officially begin January 1, 2006 and that is when we'll begin posting all the stories. We're going to a once-per-year format so when we post the stories, they will be "up" until December 31 which will allow everyone ample time to have readers download, read and rate their stories. We ALREADY have over THREE TIMES as many entries as our previous contests, so there will be a LOT of FREE reading - and there's some good stuff too! For now, download and read any of the stories you missed from below and stay tuned ...

Our second contest had quite a few highly-rated stories. The winners are all notified and will be included in our next anthology, along with the winners of the third contest. We'll be putting together Worlds Of fantasy II right after the third contest ends, early in 2006. We also have several more stories to add to our Hall Of Fame. Our first place winner was Wayne Densley (A Warrior of Perdition). Second place went to Anna D. Allen (And Still the Stars Remained), and third place went to Krystal Lawrence (Be Careful What You Wish For).

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Free Reading!

Here are the winners of the second writing contest! If you're reading these for the first time, let us - and the authors - know what you think.

All stories are Adobe Acrobat files. If you don't have the reader (you probably do), you can download it by clicking on the Acrobat Reader graphic here.

Stories below the latest contest entries are simply there for your enjoyment. These are either from our professional writers, or highly-rated former contest entries. We call it The Hall of Fame.

FIRST PLACE:
A Warrior of Perdition
This fantasy story is an excerpt from a novel by Wayne Densley (don't forget to also check out his terrific interactive stories that can be found right here on this Website!).
Copyright © 2003 Wayne Densley. All rights reserved.
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SECOND PLACE:
And Still the Stars Remained
The world outside had ended. So the Elders taught. But when Matthew Weston commits a minor offense and is condemned to that outside world, he learns nothing is as he believed.
Copyright © Anna D. Allen 2003. All rights reserved.
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THIRD PLACE:
Be Careful What You Wish For
This is the first story in a trilogy surrounding an elderly woman named Belda, with the unique ability to create potions which can alter people's lives. Her clients, in their desperation, believe these poison prescriptions will make their dreams come true. This story is about a young woman who is hopelessly in love with a worthless womanizer who cares little for her. She is the granddaughter and only living relative of a wealthy philanthropist, and she stands to inherit a fortune upon his death. She asks Belda to concoct two potions. One that would eliminate her grandfather, and another to inspire her lover to marry her. However, instead of finding herself married to the man of her dreams, she finds herself standing trial for her grandfather's murder, and her boyfriend suffering a curious side effect from his potion...
Copyright © 2003 By Krystal Lawrence. All rights reserved.
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Now, here are the winners of the first writing contest! If you're reading these for the first time, let us - and the authors - know what you think.

FIRST PLACE:
The Burden
Stephen's story was the first contest story included in one of our print anthologies: Worlds Of Fantasy I. It is a tale of medieval Europe, this one has witches and warlocks and a lot more. This is a long one - it's actually a stand-alone, 72-page excerpt from a full-length novel.
by Stephen Lucas copyright © Stephen Lucas
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SECOND PLACE:
It’s Only Your Imagination
So, you think your office is bad? Take a look at this place. It's a whole new kind of office politics!
by K.McFarlane copyright © K. McFarlane.
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THIRD PLACE:
An Act of Worship
A retiring priest stands in judgement of his congregation during his final sermon.
by David H. King copyright © David H. King.
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Latest Contest Stories - (the contest is closed, but you can still READ & RATE!)

Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Mosimi Project
Ian brings us a tale of violence in the Nigerian/Niger Delta - which some consider a global "hot spot."
Copyright © 2003 By Ian Ikpada. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The Curse on the Bones of Quzma, Son of Salimu
The disgrace in the family that leads to retribution ...
Copyright © 2003 By Norman A. Rubin. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Aura
Her home was underneath a freeway overpass. This young woman never had a friend long enough to accompany her underneath the structure; they feared her; she was unearthly. She was born with wings -– a winged stranger who was lost ...
Copyright © 2003 By Mel Thompson. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The Unquiet Grave
A nurse in a hospital plays God and puts to death 36 patients over the years. She calls it mercy killing in order to relieve them of pain and suffering.
Copyright © 2003 By Norman A. Rubin. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Boats
BOATS is about introvert Francis who is abducted by a UFO one morning but cannot remember anything that had happened to him during the abduction the next day. He attends a UFO abduction therapy where he meets Dolores and befriends her. He later has to choose between Dolores and his anti-social credo but a familiar visitor comes for him. And Francis learns of the alien truth.
Copyright © 2003 By William Alexis. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Warhead
John Robinson used to a have a family in the old world. Now he's a faceless man in a long and dirty struggle against a power that robbed him of everything he took for granted. In a desperate war against vampiric machines and their obession with immortality comes the final run of a soldier sent on a suicide mission. And he is the bomb.
Copyright © 1990 By Keith Blackmore. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Fire and Ice
This is the begining of a novel about two faeries and their journey to save their source of life, a jeweled tree from which they were born, from the corrupt lord Xendar, who seeks to use it to breed his own evil minions.
Copyright © 2003 By Rosemarie Ison. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The Orchid and the Edelweiss
A dark conspiracy during WWII. British commandos and German alpinists at the Battle of Crete. An explorer executing his uncle's will follows the tracks of a troubled past, at present time. He descends into a cavern full of buried secrets... The story was written in Greek in 2000, translated in English in 2003 by its author. Enjoy!
Copyright © 2003 By Nektarios of Constantine Chrissos. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The Hoop
A tramp relives the past of his youth for a brief moment.
Copyright © 2003 By Norman A. Rubin. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Report Excerpt Rainey Woods.
"I remember that day...yes sir. T'was a cold day out, kinda strange for Mid-September, and I was walking home through those cussed woods. You’ve seen th’ old burnt out church up from the general store? That's where I was a’comin' from. Back in them days, we used'ta play in it much, young’uns don’t know no better."
Copyright © 2003 By Julie Fletcher. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Critical Stage
Critical Stage is a character-driven horror tale of nightmare theatrics in London's West End. Julian Boote's previous competition entry, "Arok's End", was selected for inclusion in the Hall of Fame.
Copyright © 2003 By Julian Boote. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The Rise of the Phoenix
It has been almost thirteen thousand years since the Gods have walked the Earth. Come meet them now ...
Copyright © 2003 By Gareth Lydell. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
KIDNAPPED
This one is a script/screenplay and worth reading!
Copyright © 2003 By Jackie Wong Tsz Hin. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
That Night…
Here is a short horror story by a former contest participant - enjoy!
Copyright © 2003 Keith C. Blackmore. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The States Trilogy - Book 1
Glib, a fifteen-year-old boy raised in a foster-family, learns he has magical talent from his tutor. He befriends a werehound and because of this is treated as a pariah by his family and the citizens of his city. Glib leaves the city with his best friend, Cinch (who tags along for his own reasons) and almost dies in the desert. A mercenary company finds them, helps them recuperate and invites them to join the company. Both Glib and Cinch accept the invitation.
Copyright © 2003 Jamie McGraw. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Hunter's Moon
This story blind-sided the author two years ago, Friday the 13th of October 2000, to be exact, on the night of the full moon. The curious nature of the date inspired this short story, about a vampire hunter who becomes a werewolf.
Copyright © 2003 Dan Shaurette. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The Horde Of Ackmire'
Here are chapters 1-4 of a novel about a 4-century old half-elf who must come to terms with his past, and fight against the 'Horde of Ackmire.' Pursued by many villanous creatures, he must turn and fight them, as well as his past...
Copyright © 2003 Stephan Nelson. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Two Years After The End Of The World
Here is a story from the man who brought us The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy (available at Dragon Moon Press - print - www.dragonmoonpress.com)
Copyright © 2003 D. R. Park. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Gerald's Dead
This horror short is about a damaged who man recovers pieces of his memory and then has to pay for it ...
Copyright © 2003 Debra Grace Khattab. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
A Warrior of Perdition
This fantasy story is an excerpt from a novel by Wayne Densley (don't forget to also check out his terrific interactive stories that can be found right here on this Website!).
Copyright © 2003 Wayne Densley. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Insanitarium
Come for a short visit into the Dyavol Asylum ...
Copyright © 2003 Stephen Leech. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Crossing the Bar
A real short story that teaches us the dangers of a bar of soap ...
Copyright © 2003 Charles Langley. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
The Gardener
A little story about a man and his lawn ...
Copyright © 2003 Frank Presto. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Dog Murder
In the world of dog murder all that once seemed so real becomes horrifically twisted and decayed. The walls move, teeth bite at your ankles. You are it's victim. Run! WARNING: MATURE!!!
Copyright © Hertzan Chimera 2003 All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Kingdom of Demons
When a castle is threatened by an army of demons, it finds a new hero in the local blacksmith. But in order to prove himself worthy of such an honor, is an adventure of it's own.
Copyright © Robert E. Tadlock 2003 All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Two Wrongs
A hunter, his prey and a dirty secret. Come take a look at this really short tale of horror ...
Copyright © James Spry 2003. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
FTL
In the Future, Humanity is about to take a bold step into space, unless it destroys itself first! Take a trip aboard the Challenger Orbital Space Station.
Copyright © C. Edward Sellner 2003. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Not Another Bard's Song
Sugarfoot is back! This is another novel excerpt by Keith Blackmore (no relation to Gareth!). If you really like it, rate the story - Keith could be our next author (his story did well last time). If you NEED to read more now, give us your email in the rating and tell us to pass it along to Keith - perhaps he'll give you a peek at a bit more ...
Copyright © 2003 Keith C. Blackmore. All rights reserved.
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Contest Entry – Please Read And Rate!
Cellar Dweller's
This story is about a large house. It stands on a quiet street in a quiet town. For as long as can be remembered, no living person has entered this house. But, for this small town that is about to change.
Copyright © By Robert E. Tadlock 2003. All rights reserved.
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The Hall Of Fame

Lily Was Here
A veteran of the Crusades finds out the hard way "there's no place like home" after being abducted by future immortals. Characters loosely inspired by Frodo, Sam, Elanor, and Galadriel (Tolkien.) May not be suitable for children.
Copyright © Jerri Willmore 2003. All rights reserved.
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