leonardcohenforum.com

Hey Authors~!

It is very close to revealing time for the stories and who the winners are. Just a little more patience, please.....(thanks)

Since all these stories were so good I'd like to see them have a little more exposure, other that just putting them here on the forum.
Of course there is a Grand prize for the one top story, being published in the Berlin event booklet, but that leaves 12 other really great stories behind.

What I was thinking, not as a judge, but as a fan of these stories is that maybe, if you authors are up for it, I could create a blog and stick all the stories there to be viewed and shared with friends and family and such. Eventually they will all get sunk to the bottom of the thread and disappear while here. This way they are give a place of honor, you know?

So, think about it.

I'd be glad to do it.

regards,
Laurie

Laurie ~

I'm not one of the authors, but I will be one of the readers ~ and this is really an excellent idea.

One of the frustrations I had, when returning after a virtual, six-month absence, was trying to locate and read all of the entries for the second, poetry competition. I never got all of them read. This way, none of the stories will, as you say, not get left behind; but will, even more importantly, retain a place of honour.

I hope you do it.

~ Elizabeth

great idea, Laurie. Now I really feel pi**ed that I didn't enter. And to think that. compared to Joe's malicious Winter topic (where, quite objectively, I clearly deserved to win), this was a much better comp.

Damn all those murders, damn all those other excuses for not getting on with it and writing one single short story. Maybe it was your cruel demand that it had to be exactly 1000 words with no more than 55% having either 2 or 3 letters, that deterred me.

And if that cursed Joe wins this time my circle of misfortune will be complete, Oy Gestalt! and woe is me.

I could 'a been a contender....
I could 'a been top of the world, Ma....

A beautiful idea, Laurie!

Cheers
tom

Liz, Mikey, Tom...

Glad you think it's a good idea.

I think if there are 'regretful' writers out there, there is no reason their posthumous stories could not be published on the blog also, eh?

My idea/thinking is to just present them (alphabetically) and not focus on 'the winners' aspect.

So far, I have the okey doke from one author

L

I've only made it through Story A and am already Brit'ily gobsmacked by the thought, thought processes, and writing skills that are being revealed in these stories.

Your idea/thinking on the "winners" status is a good one. Better to remain here, where it is most relevant, per the Berlin booklet; and to be placed in 'equal-evaluation' status on the blog. It also seems that, if that is an issue with any of the writers, this approach will encourage most, if not all, to allow theirs to be placed there.

Hi Lizz~

I know. They are ALL so good. I am not just being polite.

Yeah. The contest aspect really only belongs here, not a blog. I do hope the authors decide to do it.

You can see why choosing was so difficult.

regards,
Laurie

Hi Laurie ~

I don't envy you and the four, other people, who served in your positions as judges. I've only completed Story C. This is like a 13-course meal, at a 5-Star restaurant, requiring a rest of the palate, with a glass of water or sip of wine, and a rest, with pleasant conversation, in between.

Judging was clearly, extraordinarily difficult. I appreciate seeing how the mechanics of it all worked out.

Since the winners have already been announced [I spotted the additional, latest thread between courses], I want to Congratulate Ms. Ali ~~ Congratulations, Ali ! ~~ on her First Place win with her story; its, ironically, having shades of "The Nanny," in which Leonard's own, longtime friend, Rebecca de Mornay, starred. I loved the ironic, very surprize ending, and the cadence of the media announcement ........and the story continues . Great stuff, Ali ! Aren't you glad you already planned to go to Berlin !?! What DELIGHTS me, in addition to your story's EXCELLENCE, is that you're such a newcomer to the Forum !!!

~ Lizzy

Yes, fine idea... but I wonder...

I wonders, yes I wonders...

... if we could get 'em published on PAPER as a book of short stories (if it could be done cheaply enough), the proceeds of sales to go to LC?

Still another excellent idea, Fljotsdale! I'd sure buy one! If I could find another Leonard Cohen fan, outside of here [okay, my former husband will get one ], I'd give them as gifts!

So would I. All my family and friends would get one, whether they liked it or not!

For me, and my continuing desire to actually make it to Berlin, that would depend on pricing .

In the midst of reading Story D now, I'm getting a strong desire for this to become at least a bi-annual event . Different, Leonard-related theme ~ Event booklet reward. There are so many skilled, short-story writers here!

~ Lizzy

Welllll, I think the paper-publishing is a very good idea.

However...as for me, I am only up to doing a blog.

If someone else wants to head up doing something like that, it would be great. It's beyond my scope of getting things done.

regards,
Laurie

Me too. I wonder if Jarkko knows how?

laurie, I'm more than happy to go along with the blog. If anything comes about with regard to publishing, may I suggest that any money received be donated to a charity of the Judge's choice. They made a great decision about the winning piece and we can leave it to them again to put our money where it's needed most.

Ali, great start. You'll have to maintain this very high standard from now on. Have you ever been called a benchmark before?
You're condemned to success.