First Place: Duchess of the Dragonette by Anneston Rees
Anneston Rees (@annier479) is a passionate author and poet, exploring every genre in her creative journey. She finds inspiration in everyday experiences, transforming them into compelling stories and heartfelt poetry. With each piece she shares, she offers a glimpse into her soul, determined to leave her mark on the literary world. Alongside her writing ambitions, she’s also on a disciplined path toward earning her black belt in karate—balancing the art of words with the strength of a warrior.
What the Judges said:
“The ingenuity of this story swept me away. The strength and confidence of your main character instantly won me over, and you wrote a fitting tale to reflect her unforgettable presence. Thank you for sharing such a fun read!”
“I loved how your MC took up the page with a presence that could be felt throughout the entire story. The pacing was well-executed, and you nailed the ending.”
“A commanding and unforgettable MC. Loved the gothic atmosphere and tightly controlled intrigue. Stand out ending!! If this ever becomes a novel, please think of me!”
“Absolutely incredible - fantastic writing, amazing story, and so much fun to read.”
A Chat with the Author:
Tell us a little about your writing background. How long have you been writing? What inspired you to start? What challenges have you faced along the way?
My writing journey began four years ago when I merged my love for horses with the magical worlds I had long imagined. Encouraged by the unwavering support of my family and teachers, I continue to set ambitious goals for myself and my writing career. As school and extracurriculars began competing for my time, balancing my passion for storytelling became challenging. Yet, through the chaos, I found solace in my journals and the mystical fantasies I often create, where my imagination runs free and my dreams can only grow.
How did you come up with the idea for this story?
I was so excited when I was given the criteria and requirements for the prompt. The concept of including certain lines and events formed ideas for me and ranged from horror to fairy-tale-like stories. When research on mythical creatures took me toward fantasy (a topic I am more than familiar with), the words poured out of me as if they were trapped, waiting for a chance to go on paper.
What is your writing process like?
Over the short amount of time I’ve been writing, I have tried so many things: plotting out the whole story, making pieces and putting them together later, plotting out chapters, and working a bit at a time. If I’m being honest, I haven’t found what works best for me. It depends on what I’m writing and what I have been thinking about for the story. If I know one thing, it’s not to lock yourself down to one writing style or process.
Where can readers find more of your work?
This is my first published work. There is no place else you can currently find any of my works. Although, I hope that soon that will change!
What advice would you give writers on writing a great short story?
Picture the world or subject in your head. Make it a clear image, you can put yourself in that world. Not necessarily as your main character, but be able to see the world you want to create or are learning to write. If you can’t explain to yourself what is happening in your world, others might have trouble understanding or seeing things like you, the author, do. Even if you give readers a tidbit of your story instead of an entire start to finish story, it will be enough to catch attention and have readers demand more.
