Announcing the Winners of our Elements Competition

A little later than planned. Someone got drunk last night and had sex in the server room. I think that's what happened.

Anyway, let's get elemental, my dear Lushees. I do like having a theme where it's open to different interpretations, and this one didn't disappoint. Lots and lots of variation, sizzling shenanigans and twisty tales. The shortlister was so impressed, they gave me a top 13 and I just went with it. If it's good enough for Taylor...

Without further ado, your winners.

In first place, it's a movie theme classic for a reason. Dronette56 takes the crown with her stormy tale, A Calm In Need Of A Storm.

Second place goes to the talented RowanThorn, with his witchy tale, Ritual.

And rounding out the top three is Mr WordyMcWordyson himself, WannabeWordsmith with his crackling eastern BDSM story, Playing With Fire.

Very well done to all the podium peeps. Before I list the full top squad, let me just say a heartfelt thanks to the shortlister and judges this time around. I know how busy people are, so taking time out to help with this means a lot.

Thank you also to those who enter the comps, or read and comment and vote. I love seeing the camaraderie in the discussions here and it's nice knowing that a lot of folk go out of their way to read as many entries as they can. I speak from experience when I say that writers are comment-hungry monsters. We can never get enough

Anyway, enough from me. Here is the full top 13, and well done again to everyone. I'll be in touch with the winners over the next day or two. A new comp will be announced shortly.

1. A Calm In Need Of A Storm by dronette56

2. Ritual by RowanThorn

3. Playing With Fire by WannabeWordsmith

4. Meet Me In The Woods... By TheShyThespian

5. Resonance by DarkSide

6. Fluid by KimmiBeGood

7. The Great Sea by GreyMatter

8. Sacred Soil by KittyLynd

9. The Choice by Shyexhibitionist

10. The Beauty Within by WXT55UK

11. River Spirit by Longing

12. Seduction: It’s Elemental, My Dear Watson. By CuriousAnnie

13. A Voyage To LushLand by MC1982

Bravo! Congratulations!

Congratulations to the winners and to all who took part. 😀

A big thank you to the judges too.

I've actually picked a winner, for once! Absolutely loved it, and to be penned by one of our guiding lights is the extra cream in the sticky bun. Top marks for the theme in this one, it was a gem. A pleasure to dip my ink in such a splendid comp...and hope everyone who entered enjoyed the challenge as much as I did. Well done to all, and a woo-hoo, because I can.

Congratulations to the winners!

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

Side note: For the next competition, can you have one that will challenge the writers' creativity to use any other words/phrases besides fuck, cum, pussy, cock and dick? Those words must not be used throughout their story.

Doubly glad: Dronette56, who is one of my favourite Lushites as both writer and mod, wins. Congratulations, Genny!

And my first placement in a comp!😀

Massive congratulations to the winners and thanks to all involved in the judging. A really tough job. Most of my favourites made the top 13. I'll double-check that I've read them all. 👏

Quote by Mit

Congratulations to the winners! 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

For the next competition, can you have one that will challenge the writers' creativity to use any other words/phrases besides fuck, cum, pussy, cock and dick? Those words must not be used throughout their story.

They fornicated.

The End

To quote a leg end, "Have I won yet?"😇

Congratulations to the winners and everyone else involved! I am embarrassed to say that while I kept up with the entries for a while (and have read well over half), I don't think I've read half of the thirteen yet.

Of those I have read, all are excellent but I was particularly taken with Kimmi's spin on fluidity, GreyMatter's tale of immersion in a great sea, and WannaBeWordsmith's ... well, more-than-just-wannabe wordsmithing, which still has me chuckling over "name Toblerone." Can't wait to read the others.

Congratulations to all those in the top 13! I'm sure they're all wonderful 😊

Congratulations WW & Rowan, and well done to everyone! The theme brought out the best in all of the entrants.

Wow!! My first placement in a comp😲
I am flattered to be mentioned alongside so many talented and prolific Lush authors! Can't wait to read the few on this list I haven't already. Congrats, everyone!

Congratulations, guys! It was a fun experience for a first timer here.

Quote by KittyLynd

Wow!! My first placement in a comp😲
I am flattered to be mentioned alongside so many talented and prolific Lush authors! Can't wait to read the few on this list I haven't already. Congrats, everyone!

Well Done KittyLynd. Well deserved. Ditto I didn't even notice my name at first cause I was so chuffed to see my co-collaborator Darkside in the top ten. To say I'm speechless is an understatement!

Congratulations to the top three, such worthy winners. 😀

Well done to everyone who took part, and a big thank you to the judges.

Congratulations to the winner, the runners up, the top thirteen, and, most importantly, to everyone who take the time to write for this competition. You're all winners IMHO and should be proud of your accomplishment. Thank you to Jen and the moderators to oversee these competitions and to the judges who have the challenging task of reading each and every entry and evaluating them against each other. I'm sure its a truly difficult task with a field of superb writers to choose from.

I loved to read so many fantasy and sci-fi and supernatural entries. Those categories are usually neglected, which is a shame. And also loved to see so many new faces.

I echo Jen's mention about the camaraderie, encouragement and support shown, particularly around comps (another reason why I like them so much). That's the true spirit of Lush.

Thank you everyone who took the time to conjure an idea and made the effort to turn it into a story to share with us. Deeply appreciated!

Congrats to y'all, especially to the Lucky 13

I'm thrilled to see three of my favourite stories taking the honours. Congratulations Rowan, Genny and WW. Well deserved. Well done to all who entered, particularly the first time entrants and a personal thanks to everyone who read and commented on my entry, I'm humbled and grateful.

Congratulations to everyone who entered, especially the others in the top thirteen and in particular the podium threesome. I’ve only read a quarter of the entries so far and have so enjoyed them all. Thanks to those who organised, judged, read and commented on our stories. This was a fun theme and I’m already looking forward to the next competition.

Fabulous results! Congrats to the winners and runners-up. Spectacular choices. 🥰🥰

Oops, got sidetracked remixing a track last night and forgot to post. I'm honoured to be sharing the podium with Genny's superb winning entry. Loved it.

Having started from the bottom and mostly worked my way up the entry list, I somehow managed to miss Rowan's piece but I shall make amends, and also try to check out the remaining few top 13-ers I haven't yet reached.

It's great to see so many new faces entering. It can be nerve wracking, so congratulations to everyone who submitted. Lush competitions are always a hotbed of talent - both from authors and the tireless moderators, shortlisters, judges, site owners and maintainers that keep the site running. Thank you all for keeping the spirit of Lush alive and to the members who take time to read, comment and encourage the incredible writers we have here.

Congratulations Genny, Rowan and Dubya, Dubya 😊 - all fabulous stories that I very much enjoyed. I thought the standard high across the board and was chuffed to be counted amongst those shortlisted. There are two on that list of thirteen that I have not yet read, so I will try and remedy that idc. Thank you to Jen, the shortlister, judges, and all that make the competitions happen. As others have mentioned, I have also enjoyed the byplay in the comp thread (usually from afar - I'm shy, remember... 😳).

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

Oops, got sidetracked remixing a track last night and forgot to post. I'm honoured to be sharing the podium with Genny's superb winning entry. Loved it.

Having started from the bottom and mostly worked my way up the entry list, I somehow managed to miss Rowan's piece but I shall make amends, and also try to check out the remaining few top 13-ers I haven't yet reached.

It's great to see so many new faces entering. It can be nerve wracking, so congratulations to everyone who submitted. Lush competitions are always a hotbed of talent - both from authors and the tireless moderators, shortlisters, judges, site owners and maintainers that keep the site running. Thank you all for keeping the spirit of Lush alive and to the members who take time to read, comment and encourage the incredible writers we have here.

Dude, your story was amazing. But after all your trips to the podium, I still say it's time to drop the wannabe. Clearly, you are a wordsmith. 🥰😘 Congrats.

Congratulations to the podium, top 13, and everyone who entered! As usual more than 10 Top Ten worth entries!

Y’all rock!

Thanks to all who help put these comps together!

❤️

Quote by WannabeWordsmith

Oops, got sidetracked remixing a track last night and forgot to post. I'm honoured to be sharing the podium with Genny's superb winning entry. Loved it.

Having started from the bottom and mostly worked my way up the entry list, I somehow managed to miss Rowan's piece but I shall make amends, and also try to check out the remaining few top 13-ers I haven't yet reached.

It's great to see so many new faces entering. It can be nerve wracking, so congratulations to everyone who submitted. Lush competitions are always a hotbed of talent - both from authors and the tireless moderators, shortlisters, judges, site owners and maintainers that keep the site running. Thank you all for keeping the spirit of Lush alive and to the members who take time to read, comment and encourage the incredible writers we have here.

It is a mammoth undertaking for all involved. I love the camaraderie and encouragement between the authors. I'm always happy to share stories Ive enjoyed. Really humbled and grateful that my story was ranked. I thought the standard was amazing this time.

Congratulations!!!!

Congrats everyone, podium, Top 10 and all those that submitted!

My apologies as I didn't get to read any before the Comp was over but I will get to it!

Quote by LYFBUZ

Congrats everyone, podium, Top 10 and all those that submitted!

My apologies as I didn't get to read any before the Comp was over but I will get to it!

Buckle up, there's some seriously good stuff when you get on the case. I felt reassured, rather than intimidated, by the quality.