The readers have voted and determined their favorite story from each age category. The votes were within a few percent points, which means readers had a hard time deciding too (just like the initial judges’ choices). The good news is that all six runners up received a prize this time (the digital audio book of their choice). They chose audio books like Stranger in the Glade, Thick as Thieves (2), Badge of Honor, The Last Ride, and Andi Under the Big Top. Note to runners up: If you have not yet downloaded your audio book, do so soon. The link to download the files expires this Friday.
Congratulations to the top winners:
Links to all six stories (the top 2 and the four runners up) can be found on the Seasonal Contests page.
What’s Next?
I have been asked what kind of writing contest is up next (Seasonal? Annual?) The voting was pretty 50/50, with a few votes nudging the Annual Contest into the top tier. So, I have decided to go with an Annual Contest for 2023. It will launch January 1, 2023, and you will have five months to submit your entry. Please don’t ask me all the details right now. More “official” rules and prizes will be forthcoming later on. I will not make the same mistake I made with the Summer Contest (putting up the information way ahead of time). I will probably put up everything the last week of December.
With that in mind, I need the next few months to organize the contest, find judges, and decide on prizes for first, second, and third place (honorable mentions receive the Amazon print book with their stories published but no extra prizes). The annual contest is a lot of work, so with that in mind, there will be NO FALL SEASONAL CONTEST. I realize this might be a disappointment to some of you, but it’s time to “give me a break” and look forward to the upcoming “big one.”
However, if anyone has ideas for prizes, I’m open. Toss your ideas down in the comments. Note: In the past, I awarded cash as a prize for first place (along with the book, etc.), but that is no longer an option, so please don’t suggest it. However, I could award gift cards to my Circle C Store if that would be a fun prize).
Andi Carter's Blog 
Great job to the winners! I’m super excited for the annual contest!
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Thanks for taking the time to do this one!!! I am excited for annual contest!!!! Yay!!!!!
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CowgirlCarrie, was your story the one on forgiveness with the man from Ireland?
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No, that was actually my sister Elizah’s story. 🙂
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Oooh!! Tell her congrats!!!! 🎉🎊🎈 You are awesome writer Elizah! Keep up the amazing work. (Did she make up the song? It’s amazing. I loved it)
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Sorry. I meant to ask about the song to Abby. But her story was still amazing!
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I will tell her! Thank you!!! You’re so sweet!
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No, mine was not. Now that the contest’s over, I may freely tell you that mine was “The Hunt for the White Stallion”, which is the first one listed in honorable mention.
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Congrats to the winners!
Great stories everyone!
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CONGRATS WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!
One idere for prize, you could do like pick one of anything (except like the large bundles, lol) on the circle c store. Maybe? 😀 XD
Can’t wait for the Annual!!!!
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Are you goanna do readers choi e for the annual?
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No. This is a serious contest so the judges make all of the decisions and choose all of the winners.
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Good job winners!
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Congratulations winners! I like the gift card idea!
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Congrats winners!!!!
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GOOD JOB!!!!
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Here are a few prize ideas…
First place; a travel tumbler, a flashlight keychain, and any two books from the Circle C store.
Second place; a travel tumbler and any two books
Third place; any two books.
This can be another first place prize and\or can be for international winner(s); A whole audio series of Andi Carter or Jem
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I would rather see a journal and pen than a travel tumbler and keychain light. I have no use for a travel tumbler and keychain light, but I won a journal in one of the contests and am enjoying using it as my personal journal. I definitely like the idea of a book or two, though! I would definitely be able to go for some of the updated and revised CC Adventures (I still have the tan covers I got years ago).
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Thanks for the suggestions!
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Congratulations not only to the winners but to all who entered the contest. You did a great job and should be proud of yourselves. Even if you didn’t win a prize, you are still winners in my book, as they say. Big smile.
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Congratulations!!!
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What did the top winners choose from their four choices?
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Naomi F. chose Yosemite at Last. Abby B. chose the tumbler and keychain.
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You changed to any book in the circle c store?
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It was always any book in the store
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I think a Circle C Store gift card would be a great prize.
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Good job Naomi Mae Fritts, and Abby Bochnicek! Both stories have an amazing plot, plus wonderful and interesting endings!!
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Congrats to the winners!!!
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Congratulations winners!
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The anonymous person who asked: No is the answer.
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Congratulations, everyone
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To everyone who participated: I’m sorry your story didn’t make it! But you tried. And that’s what matters! In the meantime, hone your skills, fix what you need to fix, and prep yourself for the annual contest! I look forward to competing with you. (Yes, I’m doing annual.)
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Congratulations to the contest winners!
I’m excited to hear that you’ll be holding the annual contest again! If the age category for the contest still ends at age 17, would I still be eligible to enter if I sent the stories before I turned 18 in late January? I was hoping to be able to do it one last time 🙂 Thanks!
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Yes. If you are still 17 during the contest’s window, you can enter. Just make sure you write “17” on your age.
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Can’t wait to see what we can write about for the annual contest! Looking forward to it! Defiantly going to try and enter it!
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The annual contest is wide open as to what you can write, just so long as you stay in the Circle C or Goldtown universe. You can create new characters as the “stars” of your story (so long as the Circle C or Goldtown characters are included as minor characters). You don’t even have to use “canon,” i.e. Andi can have ten kids and Mitch can get married, or anything! READ the winners stories to see what I mean. You have a world of possibilities.
https://andicartersblog.com/annual-contest/
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Nice! I will read those stories. Thank you!
How long can the stories be? Just curious, this will be my first annual contest! ❤ When it comes out!
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Ages 6-9 1,000 word limit
Ages 10-13. Up to 2,500
Ages 14-17. Up to 3,500
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Do you think you’ll ever do seasonal again?
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Sure, maybe after a year or two of annuals, or if I get a fun brainstorm about a special writing opportunity. I’m open and random!
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Yes like maybe in 2024 or 2025 you could do the seasonal again.
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Awesome! That way we can have some of each every once and a while!
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P.S. I don’t think I’ve ever done Annual before. Do you still have the picture prompts, or do I have to come up with my own idea?
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No prompts at all. You can write whatever you want, keeping it within the Circle C universe. Read the winning stories and see what I mean.
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Tip; if you really don’t know what to write, go and see past contest prompts. They might help. (;
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Thanks Brianna!! Cuz I’ve never done an annual 🙂
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It might… But the way my stories work, I’d probably just end up writing one absurdly like the past winning stories!😛😝😭😭😭😭
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Congratulations to the winners!!! Y’all did a wonderful job! I loved each and every story!
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@Emma A
Neither did i!😀
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Oh, so sorry, forgot to put my name in!
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@all the winners
🎉🎊🎈🍾
GREAT JOB!
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Mrs. M, could you put my story in the ”Seasonal contest entries”? It’s called ”Jennifer”
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Oops. I never saw this comment until now. I’ll get this up today!
Your story is up now.
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Hi Mrs. M! Could you also put my story in the seasonal contest entries? Its called Captured by Greed.
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Just saw this comment. I’ll do it this morning! Sorry!
Your story is up!
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I will comment on your stories Essie and Arabella!
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When can you put them up, Mrs. M.?
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Oops. Sometimes I miss a comment notification. I missed this one.
Both are up now.
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Did u make that heart out of pencils Mrs. M.?
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Nope. Found it on Canva. I dunt have THAT much time on my hands! 🤪
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@Emma A
Yes, I did make up the song 🙂 Thank you so much!!!
~ Abby B
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It is so beautiful!!! I loved it!!!
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