Valentines Day Contest Support Thread 2025

[ElectricBlue]

Apologies if this has been answered, but can a 750 word story be submitted for the 750 word challenge and the Valentines Day contest (assuming it's submitted in early February)? I've had an idea that would fit both themes and also include some Greek gods...

Yes. The 750 thing is an anthology, not a contest. You need to comply with the Valentine's Day contest rules though, first and foremost.

 

[SinclairGroupLLP]

I went a bit out of my usual zone for this one, but Ienjoyed writing it. I hope you all enjoy it too.

Here’s my entry - Their First Valentine’s Day

 

[Duleigh]

Apologies if this has been answered, but can a 750 word story be submitted for the 750 word challenge and the Valentines Day contest (assuming it's submitted in early February)? I've had an idea that would fit both themes and also include some Greek gods...

Yes. I did that last year but it confused everyone... including Laurel. She came back and asked "What are you entering this in???" I said "Both" and had to explain what I was doing in a DM. Folks reading through the Valentines contest entries came to my two 750 word entries and were stumped. This is what we get from Duleigh The Lord of Verbose??? I agree, the stories should have been much bigger for the valentines day contest and the scores never recovered.

Next time I pull a stunt like that, I'll write a full story for the contest and a 750 word teaser for the 750 Challenge.

 

[Trionyx]

Apologies if this has been answered, but can a 750 word story be submitted for the 750 word challenge and the Valentines Day contest (assuming it's submitted in early February)? I've had an idea that would fit both themes and also include some Greek gods...

I did this last year. In the submission, I wrote the two required phrases in the note to administration box, then I wrote a brief letter describing what I wanted followed by a ‘thank you’. It sailed through with no problem.
This year my VD submission is also a PO submission and I am making sure to describe my intentions to the admin in the same manner. Good luck.

 

[TiberiusPrime]

My entry has been submitted - The One That Got Away

I need to make sure I have the time to read this!

 

[Duleigh]

I need to make sure I have the time to read this!

It's up and has had a few readers
The One that Got Away
27k Words - Mature

 

[Inkent]

This is a first for me. Just finished an April Fools story from scratch, and not out t of the "to do" bin. Bloody hell, well in front! Now that's no joke . V- Day story no 1 submitted for Romance today too. Most productive.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

Umm, I'm not in this contest, but you folks ought to know that, from what I can see, this contest isn't linked on the Categories page. That page still has a link to Winter Holidays. Maybe somebody ought to clear throat at the site folks?

 

[Duleigh]

Umm, I'm not in this contest, but you folks ought to know that, from what I can see, this contest isn't linked on the Categories page. That page still has a link to Winter Holidays. Maybe somebody ought to clear throat at the site folks?

Thanks, I'll see if Laurel's up to making a change for us.

 

[WittyUserName]

I'm already feeling the time crunch and there's still a few weeks left. I don't know if I'll make the deadline.

 

[nicksouth]

I'm already feeling the time crunch and there's still a few weeks left. I don't know if I'll make the deadline.

You can do it !

 

[Rustyoznail]

"Fine. If that's thwe way you want to play it, we'll do it your way." My muse had decided that my winter story, which strected to a Valentines theme, would need to go longer. Much lionger.

"Who's ever heard of two virgins having sex on their first date? At least make it teh morning after, or preferably after a long romantic walk on the beach," she insited. "And get rid of those typos. They look like you just don't care."

"They add character. Look, I'll leave it until next winter, but you bloody well better come up with another idea that's quick to write, because you insisted I'd have a story in this comp."

"I suppose I did. Hey, what about girl a girl grumbles to a guy she's known for years that she's been stood up yet again for VD, and he decides to help her out. Nothing sexual is planned, but..."

"They do, and you'll insist it goes on forever. Nope."

"Brother - sister? Dad - daughter? That can be a one nighter."

"Hmm. Time and place. Could be done."

"Uncle - niece then. The T in I/T. Your first story did well there."

"Yeah. That's got possibilities. Let's see how that goes."

 

[WCSGarland]

"Fine. If that's thwe way you want to play it, we'll do it your way." My muse had decided that my winter story, which strected to a Valentines theme, would need to go longer. Much lionger.

"Who's ever heard of two virgins having sex on their first date? At least make it teh morning after, or preferably after a long romantic walk on the beach," she insited. "And get rid of those typos. They look like you just don't care."

"They add character. Look, I'll leave it until next winter, but you bloody well better come up with another idea that's quick to write, because you insisted I'd have a story in this comp."

"I suppose I did. Hey, what about girl a girl grumbles to a guy she's known for years that she's been stood up yet again for VD, and he decides to help her out. Nothing sexual is planned, but..."

"They do, and you'll insist it goes on forever. Nope."

"Brother - sister? Dad - daughter? That can be a one nighter."

"Hmm. Time and place. Could be done."

"Uncle - niece then. The T in I/T. Your first story did well there."

"Yeah. That's got possibilities. Let's see how that goes."

Your muse talks too much.

 

[Inkent]

First one up, Table for Two, Out Back. Took a diversionary path along the way, ending up in Romance & not LW. Now to get No.2 finalised & up

 

[Rustyoznail]

Your muse talks too much.

Tell me about it. It's either crickets or constant prodding.

 

[Rollinbones]

I’m loving the attention my humble v day story has given my other works. It’s been a wake up to me to start participating. I had to step away from comps because I was told it was limiting creativity. Maybe I need to find a balance?

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I’m loving the attention my humble v day story has given my other works. It’s been a wake up to me to start participating. I had to step away from comps because I was told it was limiting creativity. Maybe I need to find a balance?

I'm trying to do a quick V-day story, seeing as I've thought of an idea, partly for the attention. It certainly won't be the kind of thing that wins.

Let's see if I can get it done this weekend.

 

[Duleigh]

WOW! My story is meeting with AMAZING reception! I've been posting stories here since 2006 and keeping track of my numbers since day 1. with 106 stories on the site I can easily say I've never had a reception like this before!16,000 page views in 2 days (13,000 on Day 1) 400+ votes, and 20 new followers... I know this is small change to many others but I've been that odd romance writer in the corner making sure there's a veteran in each story.

It's the comments that I find most entertaining. You can see the difference between short story enthusiasts and... the other guys. One fellow berated me for publishing romantic junk (On Valentines day! How dare me!) Some chose to comment on the technical side of surviving a storm in North Dakota:

You lost me when he did not stop to put on chains as the storm moved in because he didn't have any. Because you focused so much on the details of his struggle, NO one, and I mean NO ONE would ever live in such a place without cleated tire chains.

I lived in North Dakota 20 years with a 30 mile commute one way, always in a 2 wheel drive vehicle through storms that would make your balls shrivel and never used tire chains and don't know anyone who did. I also lived 20 years in Buffalo and 15 years in Colorado... no chains ever so I'm wondering who this "NO one" person is.

Well written. Entertaining, riveting, a must read.

Thanks mom

I hated it sorry but these long always happy stories can not hold my attention for 8 chapters. thats why I only read 1,3,7and 8..

Sorry you got the hand lotion and tissues out for nothing. I don't write strokers anymore. Like life, my characters take breaks between bouts of sex to have a life...

But all in all the reception is far beyond anything I've experienced in 19 years. I hope you all are experiencing a huge reception also.

 

[Actingup]

WOW! My story is meeting with AMAZING reception! I've been posting stories here since 2006 and keeping track of my numbers since day 1. with 106 stories on the site I can easily say I've never had a reception like this before!16,000 page views in 2 days (13,000 on Day 1) 400+ votes, and 20 new followers... I know this is small change to many others but I've been that odd romance writer in the corner making sure there's a veteran in each story.

It's the comments that I find most entertaining. You can see the difference between short story enthusiasts and... the other guys. One fellow berated me for publishing romantic junk (On Valentines day! How dare me!) Some chose to comment on the technical side of surviving a storm in North Dakota:

I lived in North Dakota 20 years with a 30 mile commute one way, always in a 2 wheel drive vehicle through storms that would make your balls shrivel and never used tire chains and don't know anyone who did. I also lived 20 years in Buffalo and 15 years in Colorado... no chains ever so I'm wondering who this "NO one" person is.

Thanks mom

Sorry you got the hand lotion and tissues out for nothing. I don't write strokers anymore. Like life, my characters take breaks between bouts of sex to have a life...

But all in all the reception is far beyond anything I've experienced in 19 years. I hope you all are experiencing a huge reception also.

That's great Duleigh and it's a huge amount of engagement. I'm looking forward to reading it. Maybe this is the Year of Romance on Lit!

 

[Actingup]

I’m loving the attention my humble v day story has given my other works. It’s been a wake up to me to start participating. I had to step away from comps because I was told it was limiting creativity. Maybe I need to find a balance?

Maybe whoever told you that didn't have an effing clue?

 

[SinclairGroupLLP]

But all in all the reception is far beyond anything I've experienced in 19 years. I hope you all are experiencing a huge reception also.

This was my first foray into a standalone work that wasn't part of one of my series, my first contest entry, and I went with romance instead of interracial, so I was interested to see what the reception would be. Maybe it's the historical nature, maybe it's just I'm such a newbie, but I've been surprised - I loved this story, one of the favorite ones I've done, and it's getting good reviews, just not a ton of views and no comments, which is weird. I think I'm like the only story in the contest with no comments yet, lol.

I'm still working my way through yours and I love it so far!

 

[Duleigh]

This was my first foray into a standalone work that wasn't part of one of my series, my first contest entry, and I went with romance instead of interracial, so I was interested to see what the reception would be. Maybe it's the historical nature, maybe it's just I'm such a newbie, but I've been surprised - I loved this story, one of the favorite ones I've done, and it's getting good reviews, just not a ton of views and no comments, which is weird. I think I'm like the only story in the contest with no comments yet, lol.

I'm still working my way through yours and I love it so far!

Thank you. I mostly do romance, this was one of the few times I've forayed into Mature, which is odd... I always get good reactions from Mature, I don't know why I don't do Mature more often

 

[TruthwithaTwist]

I’m usually scrambling to make deadlines, but I had this one ready to go for opening day of the contest. And the reception has been … “meh”. Only 3k views and my 2nd lowest rated story of all time (so far).

Certainly not complaining, just more curious. I had this happen with a Holiday story not long back & it picked up eventually. Maybe in the story I needed to change my girlfriend to my twin sister

Here it is if anyone wanted to give it a read and feedback : Homemade Valentine

 

[FreyaGersemi]

I've been laying low lately, but did submit a story for this contest. Katie Saves Valentine's Day

I've gotten some great comments, but this one kind of sums the story up: "Funny, clever, witty, sexy, outrageous, genre-bending... Everything a great story should be!!!"

 

[TiberiusPrime]

I'm already feeling the time crunch and there's still a few weeks left. I don't know if I'll make the deadline.

You need to hire someone to crack that whip!