We are happy to announce the winning entries in the first writing contest at TheNovelette.com – Babies.

this one's all about babies!

The POPULAR VOTE goes to Sharon Lee Fernberg’s story about her experience as an adoptive parent, “The Day My Daughter Was Delivered .”

In the Editors Choice contest the winner was chosen from 5 top entries.*

A Tail Tale – Becky Lower’s story, told from the daughter’s perspective, has a delightful surprise ending.
Mr. Mom, A Hero At Last – Christopher “G” Garlington provides a lively and pun-filled essay about coming to terms with one [a visit from her friend] aspect of his daughter’s teen years.

Being An Involved Birth Mother – Terri Rimmer talks about “open adoption” from the birth-mother’s perspective ­­­­­­­­– with heart.
Must Like Working With Cows – Ann Wertz Garvin shows a wry sense of humor with her story of an unexpected newspaper ad that gives her heroine some perspective as she ponders life after a family tragedy.
I Always Feel Like Somebody’s Watching Me – Scott Dunlop’s story is of a dad with a clever, chilling take on the obsessiveness of parenthood.

And the WINNER is:

Must Like Working With Cows
By Ann Wertz Garvin

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this contest. It has been a real privilege to see the high quality of entries. We hope you’ll try again .

The winner in each category received a $25 emailed gift certificate to Barnes&Noble.com.

*How the judging works:

  • The top five winners are selected based on five criteria, writing style, voice, surprises in some way, POV and story arc. Three judges vote independently on each of the five finalists.
  • For each of the top five finalists, each story is given a rating from 1 to 5 (5 being highest) for each criterion. Each entry’s score is tabulated and then the three judges’ scoring is added together and an average score taken for each story with the highest total averaged score winning.