Announcing The Winners Of The Summer Love Competition!

Thank you to everyone who participated, read, voted, shared the word, and cheered each other on. It's definitely needed! One of the things I love most about the competitions is when the judges use the phrase "I had a really hard time deciding." Please know that if you didn't make the top 10, it was only by mere points. This one was so close across the board. They were all wonderful, and you should all be proud. I know we are.

Without further ado, here are our winners!

1. Whispers Of The Tide by Expressomarkie

2. D*cks, T*ts and Swast*kas by Ping

3. With A Backpack Full of Manga On Top by OpheliaTusk

And rounding out the rest of the top 10...

4. Jelly Belly and Summer Dog by KatarinaTechgoddess

5. Screw Romance by TomEccleston

6. Guardian Angel by TheShyThespian

7. Shrivelled Grapes by Writergirl

8. That One Summer by AnnaMayZing

9. Mate in Two by Betweenthelines

10. I Don’t Like To Speculate by Pnin

Thank you all again. You're the heart and soul of this site. We've got another (big) competition in the works for September to help welcome back fall and routine. So keep that in mind.

To the winners, I will be in touch with you soon.

Congrats to everyone! There were so many good stories, I don't envy those who had to pick the winners!

Congratulations to the winners and runners-up. I'm honored to have a place in the top ten with my story about a dog and his girl. 🐶🥰

Woo hoo! Good list there. Congrats all, especially the top 3!!

I’m honestly still reeling… did this really happen?! 😲
When I saw that Whispers of the Tide had taken 1st place in the Summer Love competition, I had to check the page three times (and then ask my coffee mug for confirmation). I'm genuinely stunned — and so grateful. Out of all the amazing stories, to have mine chosen… wow. I still don’t quite believe it.

A huge thank you to Molly for organising this fun, summery, heartwarming challenge — and for all the work that goes into making these competitions happen behind the scenes. It gave me the perfect excuse to write something soft and romantic (and slightly salt-sprayed), and to fall in love a little with my own characters along the way.

To everyone who read the story — thank you. And to those who left such kind, encouraging, and beautiful comments: your words honestly mean more than you know. I’ve read them all, probably too many times, and I’m incredibly touched.

And of course, massive kudos to all the other writers who entered. The range of stories, tones, and styles was a joy to read through — from heartfelt and emotional to playful and clever. You made it a real competition, and I feel lucky just to be among you all.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to sit on a rock and stare moodily at the ocean like a windswept novelist , or maybe just have another celebratory biscuit.

Thanks again, everyone. 💙
Mark xx

And Expresso with the win! Woohoo! And Ping and Ophelia brightly shined with their stories!

Everyone be proud of yourselves in this one. Such diversity, originality, and well-written stories by all.

Thank you so much, Molly, and judges!

Quote by WriterGirl

And Expresso with the win! Woohoo! And Ping and Ophelia brightly shined with their stories!

Thank youuuuuu 😍😘

Congratulations to the winners, and all who entered. So many great stories, I don't envy the judges who had to narrow it down to just three. Can't wait for the next one.

Congratulations everyone. Fantastic competition. Thank you Molly, the judges and everyone who took the time to read and comment on the works. And of course, the writers, without whose imaginations we'd have nothing to read.

Applause all round.

Congratulations to the winner, runners up, and the rest of the top ten. A heartfelt thank you for Molly for organizing this competition and to everyone who dared write and submit a story for publication in the competition. Spread the word; competitions can be fun. Fun to write, fun to read, and fun to speculate. Looking forward to the next competition, Molly.

Spectacular competition! What delighted me was the number of fascinating interpretations of the theme. No same-old, same-old here. Kudos to all for entering. Sometimes, competition themes can pigeon hole the writers and their entries. Not this time. More kudos to Molly and her merry merchants of mischief for organizing and judging this event. Thank you.

And EM. You and your words captured imagery and emotion. Well done. Congrats on your victory! 🥂

Quote by Ping

And EM. You and your words captured imagery and emotion. Well done. Congrats on your victory! 🥂

Thank youuuuuu sooooo muchos 😁😘