Hannah Carter
Hannah Carter is just a girl who loves to dream and write and still wakes up every day hoping to figure out she’s secretly a mermaid. Hannah’s debut YA fantasy novel, “The Depths of Atlantis,” is out now from SnowRidge Press. Her short stories and award-winning flash fiction pieces have been published in anthologies such as: SnowRidge Press’s “Whispers From Before” and “Equinox & Solstice,” all of Twenty Hill's anthologies, Havok’s “Prismatic”—where she won an Editor’s Choice Award—and “Casting Call,” as well as other anthologies from Alex Silvius, Effie Joe Stock, and Nightshade Publishing. In 2022, her flash fiction piece, "A Home for Nova," won a Realm Award. Hannah also won the 2022 Writer Games with her piece “Asheward’s Curse.” Another short story, “Lara,” won a Reedsy competition.
She currently has two published novellas, “Amir and the Moon” and “Seashells.” In addition to fiction, she also has had over a dozen devotionals published in various magazines, as well as six devotions published in Finding God in Anime Volumes 1 and 2. In her spare time, she’s probably either cuddling her cats, drinking tea, reading, or practicing for her imaginary Broadway debut. Connect with her on Instagram at @mermaidhannahwrites.
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Why Do You Love Stories?
I love stories because they have the ability to bring us together. They can get us to empathize with one another, help us be a little more introspective, and learn how to be better people. By their very nature, I believe that the best stories get us to care and can be powerful tools to make new friends. Stories help us explore the depths of humanity and create bridges over the gaps that might seem too wide otherwise. When I meet a new person and we start to bond over a shared fandom, it all reminds me of how powerful stories are, as well as this quote from one of my favorite authors: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” -C.S. Lewis (And, speaking of that, where are my Narnia fans at?? 😜)
Effie Joe Stock
Effie Joe Stock is the author of The Shadows of Light series, creator of the world Rasa, publisher of the Aphotic Love Anthology, and head of Dragon Bone Publishing. When she’s not waitressing at a local café in Arkansas, you can usually find her in front of her computer, hacking away at her never-ending list of projects. She also enjoys playing music, studying psychology, theology, or philosophy, play￾ing fantasy RPG video games, riding motorcycles, or hanging out with her farm animals. Her publishing journey only just beginning, she hopes to release her first children’s book soon along with another Dragon Bone Publishing Anthology
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Why Do You Love Stories?
I absolutely love stories because they provide writers a chance to grow beyond what they're used to writing by exploring new genres, writing styles, concepts, characters, and more. I also think stories can carry deep and profound messages that readers and writers can equally benefit from.
Amanda Smith
I’ve been a reader since I was old enough to steal Hardy Boy books off my older brother’s bookshelf. Since I was small, I’ve been in love with stories—telling them, drawing them, writing them, and rewriting episodes of my favorite shows in my head before falling asleep. My favorite stories include lots of action, deep and starkly dynamic relationships, a healthy bit of bromance, a good smidgen of actual romance, and heartfelt (and realistic!) themes reflecting Truth. I can’t wait to dive into reading everyone’s submissions this year!
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Why Do You Love Stories?
I don’t actually know. They’ve just always been a part of my life from the time I was old enough to draw stick figure comic strips to now, when my style is a tad more mature and mostly involves a keyboard rather than crayons. I love the way stories explore humanity, make me laugh or cry, and reflect real life conflicts.
Misty Emerson
I’m Misty “MAE” and I love all forms of storytelling and creative expression. I believe our creativity is a gift from our Creator that we can use to glorify Him and encourage others as we hone our skills. I’ve written short fiction for Havok Publishing and was privileged to be included in their “Casting Call” anthology. You can find me sharing writer memes and painting cows at @MAE-livestock-art or drawing fictional characters at @sketchbook_joy.
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Why Do You Love Stories?
I love stories for their ability to increase our empathy and our knowledge. I love finding a story that’s intellectually stimulating and emotionally powerful.
Interested in being one of our Judges in the future?
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