24 Comments
User's avatar
Katharine Kapodistria's avatar

This is such an honour! Thank you, Daniel, for the thoughtful and fantastically detailed write-up. You know, I almost didn't publish Skellig because I thought it wouldn't resonate with anyone, but when I did, the number of people who commented on it really surprised me, which encouraged me to submit it here. Oissene is in good company in Round 1 - I'm looking forward to reading all the other stories on this list. Winston, massive thanks to you for organising this too! I see some negativity and vitriol coming out on this platform sometimes (in notes and posts), and it makes me sad. I like to think that THIS is the true heart of Substack: writers reading each other's work and giving honest feedback and encouragement (and a little help with exposure). Congratulations to everyone!

Expand full comment
Daniel W. Davison's avatar

You did such a wonderful job with that little tale. I look forward to reading more of your work. ☺️

Expand full comment
Winston Malone's avatar

Hey Katharine, it's a powerful story, and I'm glad you shared it with us. I'm having a lot of fun connecting with all of the incredible writers on this platform and promoting their work in any way I can. I know there's always more that I could be doing, and I wish I didn't have so many irons in the fire, but I'm thankful that other writers are willing to offer their time and service to the community by judging for the Lunar Awards. You're absolutely right when you say that this is the heart of Substack. We're all in this together, and who better to first appreciate our work than our peers? Thanks for submitting Skellig, and congratulations!

Expand full comment
Jack Massa's avatar

Wow! Thank you Winston and Daniel. Looking forward to reading the other stories!

Expand full comment
Winston Malone's avatar

Congrats, Jack!

Expand full comment
Hanna Delaney's avatar

Wow, what a list! Huge well done to Katharine. I absolutely love stories that speak to you in that precise, controlled way. Also, we'll done to the the runners up—delighted for you. Thank you for the honourable mention, too! 😊 I've really enjoyed Daniel's commentary.

Expand full comment
Nick Winney's avatar

well done Hanna!

Expand full comment
Daniel W. Davison's avatar

Thank you so much, Hanna! I really enjoyed your story. 😊

Expand full comment
Keith Long's avatar

Excellent stories everyone. Congrats to the winner and runners-up! Thanks for judging Daniel and thanks for hosting Winston.

Expand full comment
Winston Malone's avatar

Thanks for submitting your story, Keith!

Expand full comment
Nick Winney's avatar

congratulations to the winners!

i confess i didnt read all of the submissions was too busy doing my own but the ones I did read were brilliant. will have to read the winners now! Skellig sounds fascinating... arent we all brilliant for having such amazing minds???

thanks to all the judges and winston for running the show... looking forward to horror next !

Expand full comment
A.P. Ward's avatar

Well done to our winners!

Expand full comment
Maximilian P Siddell's avatar

What an honor. Thank you so much for choosing my story. And thank you for your write up about my piece, it really brought a smile to my face.

I'm looking forward to reading through some of the other stories here.

Expand full comment
Daniel W. Davison's avatar

That was such a well thought out tale, Maximilian. Congratulations. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work. 😊

Expand full comment
Caitriana NicNeacail / SDG's avatar

Congratulations everyone! Looking forward to reading these! (I need more hours in the day!)

Expand full comment
Winston Malone's avatar

I know what you mean! It'd be neat to have a pocket dimension to hop into for a few hours where no time passes in our own world so we can get stuff done, haha.

Expand full comment
E. H. Lau's avatar

Just wanted to say thank you to Winston and Daniel for organizing and judging!

Congrats to the winners!

🙂

Expand full comment
Winston Malone's avatar

Thank you for the kind words and for submitting your work!

Expand full comment
Douglas McClenaghan's avatar

Thanks very much for the thoughtful comments. Congratulation to the winners.

Expand full comment
Patricia J.L. 👻🧶🖊️'s avatar

Congrats, Katharine Kapodistria!

Expand full comment
Bill Hiatt's avatar

It looks like yet another excellent selection of stories!

Expand full comment
Daniel W. Davison's avatar

I was on a safari yesterday that caters to the creaky-jointed and doddering and had the dodgiest access to internet. But I wanted to congratulate everyone who participated in Round 1 of the Lunar Awards. This was not an easy one to judge. There were so many well-written tales and I enjoyed the experience of exploring these unique and thought-compelling worlds. I would also like to thank Winston Malone for the privilege of being selected as a guest judge.

Expand full comment
Hanna Delaney's avatar

Thanks Nick.

Expand full comment
Mercedes de Santiago's avatar

Congratulations to the winner and the People mentioned. Being a non-English speaker,It's Just a honor to be considered.

Expand full comment