Twist in the Tale 1000 Word Contest, May 2024 Results
Congratulations to all the winners! Your hard work, talent, and creativity are inspirational.
Judges broke any tiebreaks, so if your story is on the same points as another but rated higher/lower, it was the judges' decision.
Thank you to all participants.
On a mobile/tablet, you can scroll across the results table by swiping.
Top 10
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| timmytimtimothy | Out Here in the West Galaxy Link | 109 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Rogue | $1200 (US) |
| Probably Someone | Little House on the Void Link | 107 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Journalist | $400 |
| MichaelM | Ghost of a God Link | 107 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Journalist | $250 |
| AutumnBe | The Puddle Paradox Link | 106 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Rogue | $150 |
| Harpweaver | Queen and Country Link | 105 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Diplomat | $100 |
| kitcalvert | The Light at the End of the World Link | 103 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Inventor | $50 |
| Alyxbee | Xibalba’s Diplomat Exchange Program Link | 103 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Diplomat | $50 |
| angrykem | Lest That Your Heart's Blood Should Run Cold Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Rebel | $50 |
| AWinterPlace | How to Fix What's Broken Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Rogue | $50 |
| alexatkinswrites | Tempus Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Smuggler | $50 |
Honourable Mentions
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| jhenn | The Secret on Sublevel-6 Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Mysteries | AI Companion | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Sanya | The Stolen Mountain Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Historian | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| andersonfiction | The Dan Steel Context Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Rogue | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| jimiflan | If I Recall Your Childhood Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Archaeologist | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| td333777 | This Is How I Hack Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Hacker | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Holly_Realski | The Capture of Bunny and Klyde Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Hacker | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ | Laugh Out Loud Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Smuggler | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| sarlynh | Between the Stars Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Journalist | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Rob Hines | X-15: Investigation Class Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Space Noir | Inventor | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| deidrawhittlovegren | The Kármán Line Link | 100 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | AI Companion | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Camsyn Clair | Among the Stars Link | 100 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Archaeologist | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| actuallyalison | We Must Never Leave The Shore Link | 100 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Inventor | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Jaime Gill | In The Arms Of Darkness Link | 99 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Diplomat | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| JDBrogan | The Names of Lesser Known Gods Link | 99 | Sci-Fi | Fantasy Frontiers | Rogue | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Joanne | Carbon Dating Link | 99 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Smuggler | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Steve H | Adventures in the Shadow of Time Link | 99 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | AI Companion | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Ash | Bartering Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | AI Companion | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| kwexler | Dash of Destiny Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Journalist | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| CSchades | Floating Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Rebel | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
| Wolfsbanesparks | Silent Screams Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Archaeologist | Random Pet Accessory (common to rare) |
Subgenre Winners
Top 3 in Stellar Westerns Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| timmytimtimothy | Out Here in the West Galaxy Link | 109 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| td333777 | This Is How I Hack Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Hacker | $5 Credits |
| Holly_Realski | The Capture of Bunny and Klyde Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Hacker | $5 Credits |
| deidrawhittlovegren | The Kármán Line Link | 100 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | AI Companion | $5 Credits |
| Camsyn Clair | Among the Stars Link | 100 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | Archaeologist | $5 Credits |
| Ash | Bartering Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Stellar Westerns | AI Companion | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Galactic Gothic Horror Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probably Someone | Little House on the Void Link | 107 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Journalist | $5 Credits |
| angrykem | Lest That Your Heart's Blood Should Run Cold Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Rebel | $5 Credits |
| sarlynh | Between the Stars Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Journalist | $5 Credits |
| actuallyalison | We Must Never Leave The Shore Link | 100 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| Wolfsbanesparks | Silent Screams Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Archaeologist | $5 Credits |
| sidle_by | Smuggler’s Guide to Surviving the Deadspace Run Link | 97 | Sci-Fi | Galactic Gothic Horror | Smuggler | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Interstellar Adventures Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MichaelM | Ghost of a God Link | 107 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Journalist | $5 Credits |
| Harpweaver | Queen and Country Link | 105 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Diplomat | $5 Credits |
| Alyxbee | Xibalba’s Diplomat Exchange Program Link | 103 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Diplomat | $5 Credits |
| AWinterPlace | How to Fix What's Broken Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| andersonfiction | The Dan Steel Context Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| jimiflan | If I Recall Your Childhood Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Interstellar Adventures | Archaeologist | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Temporal Tapestries Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AutumnBe | The Puddle Paradox Link | 106 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| alexatkinswrites | Tempus Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Smuggler | $5 Credits |
| Sanya | The Stolen Mountain Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Historian | $5 Credits |
| Lychee | Tell Yourself Link | 97 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Smuggler | $5 Credits |
| kpenn007 | Murder in the Past Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| Nikki | A Fair Trade Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Temporal Tapestries | Rogue | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Cosmic Romances Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| kitcalvert | The Light at the End of the World Link | 103 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| Joanne | Carbon Dating Link | 99 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Smuggler | $5 Credits |
| LizDiv | A More Colorful World Link | 97 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Diplomat | $5 Credits |
| ErinBF | Knocking Shells: Hermit Crabs in Space Link | 95 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Rebel | $5 Credits |
| GaleGirl | Adelaide's Risky Business Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Smuggler | $5 Credits |
| FrederickDios | Lily of the Valley Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Cosmic Romances | Diplomat | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Mysteries Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| jhenn | The Secret on Sublevel-6 Link | 102 | Sci-Fi | Mysteries | AI Companion | $5 Credits |
| mtho2233 | The Skyscraper and the Tulip Link | 97 | Sci-Fi | Mysteries | Archaeologist | $5 Credits |
| S J Snyder | The Progeny Trials Link | 97 | Sci-Fi | Mysteries | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| A.A. Long | Katyusha Link | 96 | Sci-Fi | Mysteries | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| SFuji | The Lost And Found at Willoughby Elementary Link | 96 | Sci-Fi | Mysteries | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| Ethryas | The Signal Link | 96 | Sci-Fi | Mysteries | AI Companion | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Paradoxical Encounters Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ | Laugh Out Loud Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Smuggler | $5 Credits |
| kwexler | Dash of Destiny Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Journalist | $5 Credits |
| lulumacmac | The Inside Story Link | 95 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Journalist | $5 Credits |
| Mizuki | A Fine Line in the Sand Link | 92 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| Flustered Avocado | Macro Link | 91 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Journalist | $5 Credits |
| rjsdad77 | Rent Asunder Link | 91 | Sci-Fi | Paradoxical Encounters | Historian | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Space Noir Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Hines | X-15: Investigation Class Link | 101 | Sci-Fi | Space Noir | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| Nate Barker | Mississippi Roller Link | 96 | Sci-Fi | Space Noir | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| Corwin | In the Black Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Space Noir | Rebel | $5 Credits |
| cjr169 | Retirement Bonus Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Space Noir | AI Companion | $5 Credits |
| Nblakely99 | New and Improved Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Space Noir | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| Andrea Millet | The Swan Song of Detective Underwood Link | 93 | Sci-Fi | Space Noir | Hacker | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Fantasy Frontiers Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JDBrogan | The Names of Lesser Known Gods Link | 99 | Sci-Fi | Fantasy Frontiers | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| Freya | Behind the Storm Link | 95 | Sci-Fi | Fantasy Frontiers | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| OxfordComma4Life | The Youth Machine Link | 93 | Sci-Fi | Fantasy Frontiers | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| mfvice | Following the Song Link | 92 | Sci-Fi | Fantasy Frontiers | AI Companion | $5 Credits |
| lilywrites | Some Kind of Fairy Tale Link | 90 | Sci-Fi | Fantasy Frontiers | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| WingedAria | An Excerpt from "The Journal of Ethics in Experimental Medicine" Link | 88 | Sci-Fi | Fantasy Frontiers | Journalist | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Alternative Histories Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| jayscott | The Maze at the Center of Time Link | 98 | Sci-Fi | Alternative Histories | Archaeologist | $5 Credits |
| Peter Quint | The Challenges That Face Us Link | 95 | Sci-Fi | Alternative Histories | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| CoryStevenBrown | Our American President Redux Link | 93 | Sci-Fi | Alternative Histories | Rogue | $5 Credits |
| JennK | Bend, Don’t Break Link | 92 | Sci-Fi | Alternative Histories | Rebel | $5 Credits |
| nmiller | Bunker 511 Link | 92 | Sci-Fi | Alternative Histories | Archaeologist | $5 Credits |
| MackenzieK | Pastures New Link | 92 | Sci-Fi | Alternative Histories | AI Companion | $5 Credits |
Top 3 in Strange Encounters Subgenre
$5 credits to each person in the top 3 of their subgenre.
| Participant | Story Title | Total Score | Genre | Subgenre | Character | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rottador | Lazarus Bay Link | 97 | Sci-Fi | Strange Encounters | Inventor | $5 Credits |
| Caro | The Music of Moon Blooms Link | 95 | Sci-Fi | Strange Encounters | Historian | $5 Credits |
| Sandra J | Golden Echoes: The Xanthurian Heist Link | 94 | Sci-Fi | Strange Encounters | Smuggler | $5 Credits |
| Calliope Finch | Identified Link | 88 | Sci-Fi | Strange Encounters | Historian | $5 Credits |
| CHartman | 7-11 Will Hire Anyone Link | 86 | Sci-Fi | Strange Encounters | Journalist | $5 Credits |
| Taccy_T | The death of a star Link | 81 | Sci-Fi | Strange Encounters | Journalist | $5 Credits |
Judges' Awards
Our judges each picked their favourite stories this contest, and have awarded their Mini-Companion (for your pets), to the following stories.
| Story Title | Author | Award |
|---|---|---|
| title | user | Phoenix awarded |
| title | user | Fantasy Fox awarded |
| title | user | Frog Monarch awarded |
These special accessories will be awarded in a few days.