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Dear Reader,
One measure of the popularity of the stories that make it into
this virtual library, and of this contest, is the bulk of letters
I've received asking--sometimes by-God demanding--to know
when was I going to publish the winners already? So, ask, and
ye shall receive.
For some reason, most of the stories that met the guidelines
this time around dealt with themes of coercion and lack of consent.
Quite a few of them had blindfolded protagonists too. Don't ask
me why. I can't even speculate. I've taken one of each.
My pick for first place winner of the Fall 1998 Fiction Contest
is "Caught" by Tyler. The story put me in mind of the ones I used
to read sandwiched between the photospreads in Seventies bondage
magazines. This one, though, is much better written and much hotter.
The premise is familiar. An embezzler is given a choice between
arrest or sexual slavery. Happens every day. But never mind the
premise: the action and vivid writing is what make this story
sizzle. Read it as a cautionary tale about vigilante justice if
you like. Or you might, like me, remember that it's only a fantasy
and feel free to revel in the protagonist's helpless degradation.
In second place is "Over My Head" by Emerson Fitz, a first-person
account of a dangerous liaison. One reason among several that
I liked this story a lot was that I'd just heard an account of
something generally similar and so it rang true-to-life. It's
a righteous mindfuck story. If O. Henry were still around and
writing smut, he might have written this. I'll also add that the
author sent me an exemplary cover letter.
Finally, my apologies for taking an extra week to make my choices.
I had a lot of good stuff to choose from. My thanks to all who
participated, and I hope you'll consider trying us again in the
Spring of 1999.
Will Brame
First Place: CAUGHT by Tyler
Second Place: OVER MY HEAD
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