Note to self: add deadlines to the contests that are still open and I'm still reading submissions

THE COSMOS AWARDS 2024

The first contest I judged books in was The Cosmos Awards. I was incredibly nervous about doing so, because I'd only been active on Wattpad for a few weeks, but let's just say that when a contest host makes puppy eyes at me and begs for help, on the grounds that there aren't enough judges on hand and The Show Must Go On, I have a very hard time saying no.

I will never ask for payment when judging books. Payment is usually in the form of read-for-read, follow-for-follow, and vote-for-vote. I don't feel right asking for follows, although I'm happy to be followed if someone scouts out my profile and likes my work. I absolutely will not require reads of my work as payment. Poetry is not to everybody's taste; and then there's my novel, which contains explicit material. Compulsory reading of erotica is the literary equivalent of sexual assault. I'm not going there. Although again, if someone I'm judging is curious and wants to read Ancilla, I'll be tickled pink.

I volunteered to help out with the Fantasy category. The books I read were:

Fates Converged: A Witch's Vow - EnigmaEpic

Within The Mist - AlphaSheWolf/Rissi

The Four Realms - Book One: TRUTH - Caitlyn-Blayne

We Give Unto Thee - Knighted_Rose

Collateral - Anunimouse96

Contest results can be found on Monea's profile, along with the contest itself. 

CUPID'S CHARM

BEST EPILOGUE

I judged three books for this contest, rushing to get the work completed before the start of Ramadan. Results were never announced, so I don't feel comfortable sharing my judging results (i.e. who won) except to say I had glowing praise for all three writers, and deciding which of the three epilogues should get first prize was a difficult decision. 

Possible Second Chance - NxnsxgnorsDxmon

Love At Dawn - LiebeKlara

Parth Probodhika: Pristine Hues Of His Peace - dwarkaratna

If any of the writers want feedback beyond what I provided in in-line comments, they are invited to contact me directly.

JURY'S CHOICE LITERATURE AWARDS 2024

I helped out with that. I was assigned five books. I filled out the official judging forms this week (today's date, as I type this, is June 22, 2024). And now we wait for results to be announced.

The identities of the judges in this contest were supposed to be a close secret, so I was requested to not reveal which books I was judging, or that I was judging them. I was also not allowed to reveal the category I had volunteered to judge.

OUR WISHING SOCK AWARDS! 2024

I am the Romance judge and hopefully will have all my books red and judged by Saturday, June 22. The books on my to-judge list are:

Star Wars: The Master & Novice - AutumnsWhisper

The Perfect Guy - Ca_th3_y

Cinnamon Bay - Pinksands1996

Our Heavenly Love: A Journey of Soulmates - Suruchieee

Je T'aime, Imbecile - strawberry1d

Saving Michael - KalliopeAdair

* Dil Se Connection - funny_pikaa (Author and book could not be found on Wattpad until the very last day of judging - I left a message on the author's profile, but ultimately decided to not judge the book, because in most contests, if an author changes their name and has their book disappear due to being unpublished or discontinued, that is considered an automatic forfeit. I did offer to read and review, if the author wants me to do that. Wishing Sock offers reviews as part of the judging results)

Update (7/5/2024) - Score sheets and comments have been set to the host via Instagram.

THE VIRTUES AWARDS 2024

SCIENCE FICTION

*Gravity - Evan_Binley

The Unshadowed - IredescentRose

*Ashes - xeno-hollow

Nora's Voice - StoryTellerAD

*The Fliskan Princess - SciSantos

Update: I sent my first phase results in. Contest is now in the second phase of judging. I will soon need to read two more chapters of the books that made it through the first elimination round.

THE PROSE PIONEER CONTEST

I volunteered. The contest is on hold due to lack of participation, so I don't have any books to enter at this time. 

THE INFERNO AWARDS 2024

SCIENCE FICTION

I am going to try to get these done by June 22 if possible, because I'm pretty sure it's a mini award contest, and those are supposed to move fast.

You have no idea how tickled I am that I'm a science fiction judge for something angelic (The Virtues) and something devilish (The Inferno Awards) at the same time.

The Eyes of Power - TheWordArtistBooks

Night of the Crane - WendyyWolfe

Dream In the Ash - jacquelyngilmore

Update (7/5/2024) - The contest host reminded me via Discord that I need to have my results in by the end of the day. I woke up with a post-ictal migraine and was nearly useless until late in the afternoon, so I warned the host that I am behind schedule, and I might not be able to have the paperwork submitted until after midnight. I should, however, be able to get my scoring done and my reviews written before dawn).

Update (7/6/2024) - I have an extension on turning in my forms because other judges have gone AWOL and I've had to take on some extra work. I am now judging:

The Chronicles of the Star Bound - Thenarrator_007

World With No War - KnightofGrace

On The Run - TrulyMaryJane

I aim to have my judging completed by the end of Tuesday, 7/9/2024.

Update (7/12/2024) - Jusging has been completed, the winners announced, and anybody who wants to see their score sheet and review, please contact me or the contest's host. 

THE PHOENIX AWARDS

MYSTERY/THRILLER

Deadline: will fill in later but I think it's July 7?

Cataract of Delusion - newerasktaylor

Cases Uncovered - LORAINEJD

Dungeon - Ablazeisaleo

Blood Bargain - camelliacarroll

THE CLOUD AWARDS

TEEN LIT

Deadline: I warned Saramitra_ that I'd have problems meeting the August 7 deadline, especially since this was a last-minute mop-up. I just got done doing unofficial pre-Watty boot camp with AprilJester and The Mahani Wolves, and pre-Watty beta reading of lostlovefairy's Not My Little Sister, and oh, yeah, frantic pre-Watty, pre-Amby prep of my own novel, Ancilla, and I am knackered. On top of that, my youngest daughter celebrates her fourteenth birthday on august 7, and I have a confetti cake to bake.

I'm going to try to get everything done by the end of this weekend.

A Book Nerd's Guide to Falling In Love - HeideHunt

Bookshelf Boy - taketheavocado

My Stupid Heart - Arius6454