But first! A bit more on what made me choose each of these selections and why I thought they were rather hilarious.
I have to say, I’m glad there were a range of entries to choose from because each finalists approached the whole making the funny thing a little differently.
Hillsy’s entry has a brazen charm, and I enjoyed the pace, as well as the disconnect of someone working in an official capacity being completely rude and insulting (which the reporters seemed to largely be taking in stride).
Tim Roast got me with the hilarity of the ant asking him to avenge his death.
dcamardo felt really effortlessly written (though I’m sure a lot of work went into it), and had a great rhythm. The contrast between the seriousness of the receptionist and the name Mr. Snugglymuffin was played to great effect.
Kevin’s made good use of voice and a seriously over-the-top (and yet loveable) character.
And Alison Coffey also had a very strong voice and subtle humor. The narrative has great flow and is seriously engaging.
But in the end? There can be only one winner of a partial critique and ARC of JACOB WONDERBAR FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSE!
Congratulations!! To!!
HILLSY!!
Hillsy and finalists, please contact me for your prizes. And thanks so much to everyone for entering, this was truly one of our best contests yet.
abc says
I feel very honored to be part of the finalists and quite enjoyed the other's pieces (including the honorable mentions!). Congrats to Hillsy! And thank you Nathan and the commenters for the kind, kind words about my WIP.
Alison C.
JimCripps says
Congratulations to all! Way to go, Hillsy!
Ann M says
Congratulations, Hillsy!
Chuck H. says
Like I said yesterday, Hillsy, no doubt. Congrats to everyone who entered. Remember, you can't win if you don't and remember that humor is very subjective.
Thanks for the contest, Nathan. When's the next one?
Kevin Ott (www.kevinott.net) says
Congratulations, Hillsy! I loved the idea (of a press conference). It was an honor to be a part of this with everyone.
And wow, I'm still pumped about making the finalists (I am still currently standing on my desk, doing the robot, and emitting Michael Jackson shouts in celebration).
Thanks Nathan, this was ridiculously fun. It feels good to laugh.
-Kevin Ott
p.s. I enjoyed the comments, particularly the one made about the movie UP. Yeah, for some reason, there was a whole bunch of movies all around the same time that had pets or creatures named Kevin: UP had the bird, THE PROPOSAL with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds had the little dog named Kevin, and I think there were a couple more. Those were the glory days for Kevins everywhere.
dcamardo says
Congrats Hillsy!
When historians look back on this day, they will say, "And thus began the Era of Good Feelings."
Mira says
Hi all,
Congrats to all who entered (very brave) and all the finalists and honorables (wow, way to go!) And Alison, it was wonderful to see your work finally acknowledged!
🙂
Hillsy, I thought your piece was terrific. Crackerjack wit. Congratulations!
D.G. Hudson says
Congrats to Hillsy for topping the list and scooping the prize!
Her short piece reminded me of Silverbergs's take on alien characters.
And so. . .Nathan wraps up another successful contest on his blog. I enjoyed reading all the final selections.
Anonymous says
congratulations to ALL the finalists and Hillsy in particular! I LOVED yours from the moment I read it in the entries and I wasn't suprised to see it in the finalists.
=)
Anonymous says
Congrats to all!
Hillsy says
*Gobsmacked*
Wow, jeez. Thanks everyone!All the other entries were brilliant – the honorable mentions included!
(Good job no one noticed I lifted mine wholesale from a Michael Marshall Smith novel………..ah crap!)
Darley says
Congratulations to everyone. Looking forward to the next JW???CSHE.
Robena Grant says
Missed the voting, but I went back and read them all. They were all terrific. Congrats! Hillsy.
TeresaR says
'Grats to Hillsy!
Carol Riggs says
Woohoo! Hugeous congrats, and this WAS fun, Nathan. Do something like this again, yes? Fun to read even if I don't participate. 🙂 When you have time of course (gah! I can't believe you read all those…)
Jennifer R. Hubbard says
Congratulations to everyone! It's difficult to write humor well, and I so admire those who can do it!
Kevin Ott (www.kevinott.net) says
Also, might I add that the "Bienvenidos al Jepo" was coined by my friend Justin Williamson who worked at a place selling Jeeps, and we would joke about who he called "El Presidente de Jepo." So my story was a tribute to the jokes that my friend and I used to make about that.
Watcher55 says
Great job Hillsey and everyone else, and thanks for the fun Nathan.
Ishta Mercurio says
Congrats, Hillsy!
Bryan Russell says
Coongrats, Hillsy!
Bryan Russell says
Or congrats. One or the other.
Lisa Shafer says
I've been off the grid for a week, so let me offer my belated congrats to all the finalists now. Way to make us laugh, folks! Nice work. 🙂
BP says
From Michael Marshall Smith novel???? The passage or the …. o_O nevahmind…..*head spins*