The Grand Masquerade of Writing Awards celebrates the boundless realm of storytelling, and this year, it wouldn't be possible without the incredible dedication of our General Fiction judges!

🥀Ablazeisaleo

🥀Sugaga777

A heartfelt thank you goes out to this esteemed panel. Your discerning eyes and appreciation for diverse voices were instrumental in selecting the most captivating, thought-provoking, and genre-bending stories.

You navigated a vast landscape of fiction, from heart-wrenching dramas to side-splitting comedies, exhilarating adventures to introspective character studies. Thanks to your expertise, readers are about to embark on journeys that will make them laugh, cry, think, and feel on a deeper level.

So, to our esteemed General Fiction judges, a round of applause! Your passion for storytelling and your commitment to excellence have played a vital role in making The Grand Masquerade a true celebration of the written word in all its forms.

The Grand Masquerade of Writing Awards is thrilled to announce the captivating novels that have stolen the show in our General Fiction category! Prepare to be surprised, delighted, and utterly engrossed in stories that defy definition and push the boundaries of imagination!

First, a thunderous round of applause for our runners-up who ignited our curiosity!

Second Runner Up: Get ready to be captivated by m25_bookworm thought-provoking novel, SHE SAW RED. This story delves into the depths of the human experience with stunning prose and unforgettable characters.

JUDGE USERNAME: @Sugaga777

Total: 91/100

● Book Cover Design [ 05 marks]: 3

To be honest, the book cover does describe the title but not the story itself, the story is about maze, but there wasn't any things display of maze or element related to it as image.

● Title[05 marks]: 3.5

The story title was fine, it can be more according to the story. It does attract readers and is according to the theme.

● Blurb Relevance[10 marks]: 8.5

The blurb has key element and theme. It was catchy and intriguing to read. There was dialogues in the blurb, which was good. Yet I feel the blurb can be more creative.

● Plot & Narrative Structure (20 marks): 19

The plot of the story was interesting, it was definitely confusing at first but every thing come in spot. I like how you narrate every thing in detail which made it easy and smooth to understand. The peace was perfect. Thea's emotioms were perfect on place with the emotions of all the teen boys.

● Characterization (15 marks): 15

The characters in the story have a great personality, especially Thea's personality. There was development in the character throughout the evolution of the story.

● Writing Mechanics (20 marks): 19.5

The language used was clear. There were no grammatical mistakes or punctuation mistakes.The vocabulary was frank and easy but up to the suitable atmosphere of the story.

● Content & Originality (15 marks): 14

The story was according to genre and was so smooth. The placement of scene were original, they were very detailed to read. The fight take place between the teen boys and Thea was incredible. I just wish she had listened to him for once. But let's see.

● Overall Impression (10 marks): 8.5

I really love the story, I had watched the movie and when I watched it I was so thrilled as goes with then I read the book. The story and elements are so thrilling. The most interesting character I love is Thea and Minho. Well, she got sting by Griever. I hope it turn out to be more interesting after this point.

First Runner Up: We celebrate GabriellaGwenGalaxia, whose novel, SECRET OF THE SNOW QUEEN, takes home the award! This genre-bending masterpiece is a whirlwind of creativity, leaving readers breathless and eager for more.

JUDGE: Ablazeisaleo

Total: 92/100

➟ Cover: 1/5

To be honest, the cover quite didn't intrigue me as it looks like two pictures put together where it doesn't quite blend in. The font used in the title is a bit too bland and unreadable which might make it unnoticeable to readers. I would suggest checking out different graphics shops in Wattpad that could help rectify this issue.

➟ Title: 5/5

The title is really intriguing as I'm curious to know who this snow queen is and as to what secrets she possess. I can't wait to find out the answers to my questions!

➟ Blurb: 9/10

First off, good job! I wasn't expecting a supernatural twist but here we have it too. The blurb is perfect as we are introduced to our protagonist Aurora, and her friends as well as foes. Something that I would have loved to see more would be an actual space for the setting of the story like something that tells about where the story takes place, etc.

➟ Plot: 18/20

I love how realistic the plot is portrayed. There wasn't a moment which left me thinking that this seemed unrealistic or over expressed. Aurora stole my heart from the beginning. I sympathized with her throughout the story especially the gut wrenching scenes where she's pregnant yet there's no one to care bout her was depicted amazingly. The only shortcoming that hindered me from thoroughly enjoying the story would be the lengthy word count. I would suggest a word count of 1500-2000 words per chapter as that makes it short, crisp, and leaves more room for more chapters without loading readers with too much info dump.

➟ Characterization: 15/15

Why I would give this a full would be because how each character got their own respective screen time. Sometimes authors tends to focus too much on the main character that they forget the rest but I'm glad that this wasn't followed here. As mentioned above, Aurora would be my personal favorite character followed by Vlad. Hats off!

➟ Writing Style: 20/20

If I were to describe the writing style in one word, then that would be 'natural'. The writing style made the plot sound realistic without hyping up pretty much anything. It was very lucid to read and if not for the word count it would have been even more smoother.

➟ Originality: 15/15

To be honest, when Aurora opened up with the cinderella vibes I thought that this was going to be some Disney fanfic lol but as the story progressed I was proved wrong. The book's a creative gem!

➟ Overall Enjoyment: 9/10

Overall, the story is unique and very much intriguing. If not for the word count and the technical aspects regarding the cover, I would have enjoyed the book to the core. Good job!

And now, the moment you've all been anticipating...

The Winner: Bathed in the spotlight, we are honored to announce the undisputed champion of the General Fiction genre: BBnovelist! Their breathtaking novel, THE LAST DRAGONS, is a testament to the power of storytelling. It seamlessly blends genres, tackles complex themes, and leaves a lasting impression. It is a story that will stay with you long after the last page. It's a testament to the boundless potential of general fiction and the magic that unfolds when imagination takes flight.

JUDGE: Ablazeisaleo

Total: 93/100

➟ Cover: 5/5

The cover is very pretty and expressive that if I were to stumble upon this in a book shop I would definitely pick it. The color theme between blue and silver is simply amazing as its also personally two of my favorite colors.

➟ Title: 5/5

The title intrigued me very much as I'm curious to know who the dragons are and considering that it's mentioned 'last', I could already say that there might have been an outbreak before. Good job!

➟ Blurb: 5/10

First off, the first line in the blurb completely caught my attention but sadly the rest drove my expectations out. Obviously game of thrones fans might pick up on what is what but not everyone might have watched the series and thus as a newbie reader automatically a thousand questions pop up on whose Daenerys and Jon and what kind of place is Winterfell. I would suggest giving an introduction about the places, characters, etc without ofcourse giving out too much of everything to pull in readers from all nook and cranny.

➟ Plot: 20/20

I have no words to describe the plot like wow! Descriptions were on spot and there was a clear balance between the descriptions to dialogues ratio that I wasn't bored at any part of the story. The chemistry between Jon Snow and Daenerys was explained immaculately that it seemed natural than forced. Good job!

➟ Characterization: 15/15

As mentioned above, you didn't disappoint me at all which includes how you have introduced your characters and the way they think and act. I love that none of them are portrayed as pure perfect which adds naturality to the setting. The trust Jon places in Daenerys really caught my attention and something that is praise worthy is how you have given some screen space to your other characters which made the reading even more enjoyable.

➟ Writing Style: 19/20

The writing style is something that made me flip through pages as it was lucid, smooth, and flawless. I wasn't bored throughout and the writing style kept me entertained especially the way things unfold between Jon and Daenerys, the hardships they face, the emotional turmoil he goes through were portrayed beautifully.

➟ Originality: 15/15

I could say that the author has poured out their heart into the story as it felt like it could be another adaptation of the series if it were made into a movie. Good job!

➟ Overall Enjoyment: 9/10

Overall, the story is one of a kind. I enjoyed it throughout. I have never finished Game of Thrones but your story just prompts me to give it a shot.

A huge congratulations to all our finalists! Your creativity and talent have pushed the boundaries of storytelling. To the winner, a heartfelt congratulations! You've crafted a masterpiece that will leave a lasting legacy in the world of general fiction.

To the aspiring storytellers whose general fiction narratives didn't take center stage tonight, remember – The Grand Masquerade's stage is still lit for the magic of storytelling!

This year's General Fiction category was a whirlwind of creativity. Each entry showcased your remarkable ability to weave captivating tales that defy genre, challenge expectations, and leave a lasting impression. The competition was fierce, and every story held its own unique spark, making the judges' decisions incredibly difficult.

Remember, the world of general fiction thrives on diverse voices and imaginative tales. Keep writing the stories that ignite your passion, and don't be discouraged. The next award-winning masterpiece might just be yours!

Who knows, next year, your story might be the one taking center stage at the Grand Masquerade! Until then, keep the MOTIVATION burning bright and have a look at what out judges have to say about your work!

JUDGE USERNAME: @Sugaga777

AUTHOR USERNAME: @dwarkaratna

BOOK TITLE: Hard to love, Hard to lose

Total: 89.5/100

● Book Cover Design [ 05 marks]: 4

The cover quality is professional and appealing, it also gives the story vibe. The title is too down.

● Title [05 marks]: 4.5

The title of the story is pretty catchy, memorable as it's easy to be remembered, and is very well written according to the story!

● Blurb Relevance[10 marks]: 9

The blurb was lengthy and had almost every key element and theme. It was catchy and intriguing to read. I like that you add a short poem. It's well written.

● Plot & Narrative Structure (20 marks): 18

The plot of the story was interesting and engaging. Every character had a perfect contribution. Everything was so smooth, the plot had included all the Indian traditions that I really love and it was really informative. It was like you made your own world with this narrative.

● Characterization (15 marks): 14

The characters in the story have a great personality, especially Arjun's personality. There was development in the character throughout the evolution of the story. In the story some of the dialogue felt forced but it went well as the plot moved ahead.

● Writing Mechanics (20 marks): 19

The language used was clear. There were no grammatical mistakes but punctuation mistakes.The vocabulary was formal but up to the suitable atmosphere of the story, suggestion to use synonyms.

● Content & Originality (15 marks): 13

The story was according to the genre. There were part secrets involved too, it was confusing as the of unknown characters flowed by but as the story went by the situation gets clear. The story was unique and the setting of the scene was original, but as an Indian, I actually know the scene, not fully but Familiar to me.

● Overall Impression (10 marks): 8

I love this story, mostly the chemistry between the characters, and I love the small fun and romantic moments you add to suppress the increasing tension. I loved everything about this book!

This isn't the end of your journey – it's just the beginning! Keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember – the next award-winning Historical Fiction story might just be yours.

Certificates & Badges: These will be delivered digitally in a separate chapter plus via pinterest or email. Other prizes such as special ticket to interview shop, plot shop etc. will be awarded eventually.Until then, STAY TUNED!