Wow. I mean, really, wow. When we started this whole HarperTeenFanLit thing, we knew it was going to be fun. We thought for sure it would be popular. We hoped we'd get some great submissions... But over 2,000 chapters??? What a happy surprise! You guys are the best.
I'm sure you could tell from watching the top 10 battle royale, where three of the chapters were pretty much locked in one-point-difference combat the whole time, that this can be a close race. You have no idea just how close. You know all about the top 10 though; I want to spend a little time talking about some of the other chapters. So many good submissions came in and of course they couldn't all make it to the top 10. Among the elements of the thisclose chapters were a bikini malfunction, a clown troupe, an Evil Clan of cheerleaders, a mysterious ring, Mirror Max, a water-resistant Jane, some Chickettes, the story told from Max's point of view... and too many more fantastic ideas to call out. Don't be discouraged if your submission didn't make it this time. Each chapter is a brand-new round in the game, and yours has as good a chance as anyone's to make it to the top this time.
As you start on chapter 2, keep in mind what's already been established: the characters, the story, the tone. Just because you're not EllaEnchanted, this week's winner, doesn't mean you can't carry on her story. The fun and the challenge is to take what she started and develop it further, putting your own spin on it while making sure that it reads like a new chapter in the same story. Remember: This is your story. You and you and you and you and... well, you get the idea, right?
Now get writing. This story isn't going to write itself!
Farrin Jacobs
Executive Editor, HarperTeen
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