Thanks Phyrebrat for the vote, and to those who mentioned my story!
Oh, Happy Day! Two votes and a short listing! Really, really excited about this development.
@Starbeast and @johnnyjet .... The two of you have made this month the best in years for votes for me. Thanks so much!!
Oh wow! Someone liked it enough to mention it! Thanks @Heijan Xavier
A big thanks for the shortlistings, Luiglin, Glen, Starbeast and johnnyjet! Looks as though it'll be another nail biter, good luck all, CC
Shortlist: Starbeast - Fab opening line and it contains ice cream
First, thank you @Parson, @Hugh, @Peter V, @Starbeast, @Heijan Xavier, and @Shyrka for the mentions. Steampunk is not my strong suit, so it is great to see people enjoying my paltry offering amid the shiny brass mastery that characterized this month. Excellent job everyone!
loved many of the others I don't believe in long shortlists though ;P
Grattitude goes to: Glen, Heijan Xavier, johnnyjet and Starbeast for their mentions.
Thankyou for the shortlisting and mentions Shyrka, Glen and Starbeast
My vote: In 3rd is Starbeast , great use of dynamic imagery (and made me laugh)
I found this Challenge really difficult, had no ideas at all and wasn't happy with what I managed to produce at the last minute, so thanks for the breathtaking pulchritudinous mentions and shortlistings Stable, Peter, Phyrebrat, Starbeast, Cat's Cradle, Shyrka, Joshua, and Chris p!
Thanks to Hugh, Glen, Starbeast, Cats Cradle and Chris for the listings.
Thanks to Parson and Victoria for reviews.
I wanted to put up a tough challenge, then I thought that the stories would write themselves. After a slow start I had second thoughts, then I had trouble with my own story, what a month!
My story may not have garnered any mentions, but it gave me (and still does) tremendous pleasure. I think I really enjoyed subverting my childhood bookshelf. In addition I always get a buzz from finding that I've been able to contribute another story.
Um... without wanting to detract from the celebrations and congratulations this morning, I have to report we think there's been a bit of a problem with the poll.
We know at least one member came in to vote at the last minute but couldn't as the poll was already closed. Unfortunately, that closure looks to have happened an hour earlier than it should have done thanks to the GMT/BST changeover. (Give thanks it's not me doing the polls, as this kind of thing would happen every month in the summer. )
We're discussing options of how to proceed, but if anyone else genuinely tried to vote last night but couldn't, could you please let us know, as that will help us decide what to do next.
And that problem was me, because I forgot to take into account the weekend changeover from GMT to BST.there's been a bit of a problem with the poll